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Another Measles Case Reported

Separate, Rare Case Not Connected To San Diego Baby

POSTED: 2:43 am HST February 16, 2008
UPDATED: 2:58 am HST February 16, 2008

The state health department confirmed a new case of measles on Oahu Friday.

The case, however, is not connected to the report that a baby exposed passengers to the disease on a flight from San Diego.

Aiea resident Keiki Mora said she knows for sure that she has measles.

"I woke up Sunday and it was all over my face. It was arms first, then my chest and back, [then] my face was swollen," said Mora.

She said that after she broke out with the rash she came to a Pali Momi emergency room.

"My husband checked to see if there was an isolation room, because you don't want to spread it to anybody," said Mora.

Mora said she fell ill after returning from Italy on a Northwest flight on Feb. 5. She said she was worried that she exposed her coworkers and friends to the disease at a Chinese new year's party. And, after she saw the story about the San Diego outbreak, she called KITV.

She told KITV that her biggest worry was the possible exposure to passengers on a plane.

"Oh my gosh. [I] came from a foreign county on a plane -- same incident happened with that other baby. What are the odds of that?" said Mora.

Hawaii officials said they shared Mora's surprise. They said they seldom see many measles cases.

They said there were only two cases last year -- both were visitors. There were no reported cases in 2006. In 2005, just one visitor and one resident reported the disease and in 2004 just three cases -- two residents and one visitor -- were reported.

State health officials said they are following up with the Aiea woman. They added that they are most concerned about children who may not have been vaccinated could come down with the disease, as it can be highly contagious.

Aside from the rash, symptoms include a high fever and coughing.
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