Isles see 5 cases this year so far
Star-Bulletin staff
Hawaii has had five cases of measles so far this year - all but one coming from outside the state, said a state Health Department official.
Three people came here with measles from the Philippines, China and Europe, and one from Southern California where there was an outbreak, said epidemiologist Carolyn Giles, with the department's disease investigation branch. She said one case was acquired locally, by someone in the household of the person who came from Europe with measles.
The five cases ranged in age from 6 to 45, Giles said.
Last year, Hawaii had two people, ages 34 and 40, with measles. No cases were reported in 2006.
The national issue of parents not wanting to have their children vaccinated does not apply here because the vaccination is a state requirement for school entry, Giles said.
Her advice to avoid the infectious disease: "Wash your hands, and when in contact with people obviously ill with respiratory illnesses, keep your distance and increase hand-washing."