Measles Virus Found in West Hawaii Wastewater, Officials Warn

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) announced that a wastewater sample collected on August 11, 2023, tested positive for the measles virus, marking the first detection of measles in the state’s wastewater. The sample was obtained from a site in West Hawaii County, and DOH received notification of the result on August 26. While there have been no new reports of measles cases since the detection, health officials are closely monitoring the situation for potential outbreaks.

Health authorities clarified that the presence of the measles virus in wastewater does not directly indicate clinical cases or community transmission. Nonetheless, it serves as an alert for the public. In a statement, Governor Josh Green emphasized the importance of vaccination, saying, “The recent detection of measles virus in our wastewater is a reminder that this disease is still a threat. Vaccination remains our strongest defense to stop measles before it spreads in Hawaii.”

Wastewater Testing as a Surveillance Tool

Wastewater monitoring has become a crucial part of disease surveillance, a practice that gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. This method allows health officials to track various pathogens, including COVID-19, avian influenza, and norovirus. Infected individuals typically shed the virus in their waste within two to three days, regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms.

In response to a recent measles outbreak that began in Texas and spread to other states, national wastewater surveillance companies initiated their testing protocols. WastewaterSCAN began testing for measles in May, followed by NWSS-Verily in July and Biobot Analytics in August. These efforts highlight the expanding role of wastewater analysis in early outbreak detection.

So far in 2023, Hawaii has confirmed only two measles cases, both occurring in April before the commencement of wastewater testing. The first case involved an unvaccinated child under five years old, who developed symptoms after returning from international travel. Approximately ten days later, a second case was confirmed in an adult household member. Health officials stated that these earlier cases are not linked to the recent wastewater detection.

Importance of Vaccination and Public Health Guidance

The DOH is urging residents to stay current with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Health officials noted, “Measles is highly contagious but preventable through vaccination.” Infants under one year of age are particularly vulnerable as they are too young to be vaccinated. In certain circumstances, vaccination may be recommended for children aged six to twelve months if they have been exposed to known cases.

Families wishing to obtain the MMR vaccine are advised to contact their medical providers or local pharmacies. Additionally, individuals who have traveled to areas experiencing current measles outbreaks should seek medical advice if they develop symptoms. Symptoms typically start with a fever, runny nose, and cough, followed by the emergence of small, red spots.

The number of measles cases in the United States has surged significantly in 2023, with over 1,400 confirmed cases across more than 40 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This represents the highest number of cases since measles was declared eliminated in the country 25 years ago. The current situation underscores the continuing threat posed by this preventable disease and the importance of vaccination in safeguarding public health.