The Hawaii Department of Health is monitoring a positive wastewater sample for the measles virus, which the department says marks the first wastewater detection of the virus in the state.

The sample was collected Aug. 11 in Hawaii County. The department was notified of the result on Aug. 26. No suspected measles cases had been reported as of Aug. 27.

The department says the presence of the measles virus in wastewater does not confirm a clinical case or community spread. Instead, it signals a need for the health department to be prepared for possible measles cases.

The department added that two confirmed measles cases in Hawaii in April occurred before measles wastewater testing began and are not related to the current wastewater detection.