A third case of measles was confirmed Monday by the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

DPH officials say the state currently has the highest number of measles cases since 2019.

Officials say the newest case involves a Hartford County adult who recently returned to the state following international travel.

They say the person was admitted to hospital with symptoms including high fever and later developed a rash. Officials do not know the person's vaccination status.

"This case is a reminder that measles remains a real risk for unvaccinated travelers, particularly to parts of the world where measles is still circulating widely. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing infection. If you are planning international travel, especially with infants or unvaccinated family members, please check your MMR vaccination status and talk to your healthcare provider well before you leave," says DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nine out of 10 unvaccinated people who encounter an infected person will become infected.

Symptoms generally begin seven to 14 days after someone is exposed to an infected person. They include a mild to moderate fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and sore throat.

Officials say three to five days after a person sees those symptoms, a red or reddish-brown rash appears, usually starting on a person’s face at the hairline and then spread to the entire body.