A Howard County resident who recently traveled internationally has tested positive for the measles, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Howard County health officials.

“Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness, which can cause life-threatening illness to anyone who is not protected against the virus. During a measles outbreak, about one in five people who get sick will need hospital care and one in 20 will develop pneumonia,” Texas DSHS said in a news release.