The Hawaii State Department of Health today said it has confirmed four additional cases of measles on Maui and Kauai.

That brings the total number of confirmed measles cases in two separate “clusters” in Hawaii to seven.

“We are very concerned. These additional cases are an example of how contagious this disease is and how quickly it can spread,” Dr. Sarah Y. Park, state epidemiologist, said in a press release.

Park added, “However, we also want to reassure the public that DOH staff continue to work closely with healthcare providers and facilities as well as CDC’s Honolulu Quarantine Station to identify and notify all persons who may have been exposed, to make sure they have appropriate monitoring or treatment as needed.”

Measles, says the DOH, “is so contagious that it will infect 90 percent of the contacts who are not immune. The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated.”

Ronald Balajadia, Immunization Branch chief, advised, “We are asking everyone to check their immunization status and contact their healthcare provider if they need to be vaccinated. Although not routinely recommended for children under 12 months of age, infants aged 6-11 months travelling internationally to areas with active measles transmission should be vaccinated. Talk to your child’s doctor before you travel.”

The symptoms of measles generally begin about 14 days (range 7 to 21 days) after a person is infected and can include:

• Blotchy red rash
• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Feeling run down, achy (malaise)
• Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth (Koplik’s spots — not always present)

For more information, click here.

For a list of pharmacies vaccinating adults, click here.

Ouch.

Steven Depolo @ Flickr.com