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MEASLES ALERT

Posted by Papamoa Pines at 4:23 PM on May 7, 2019

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This page will be updated at 11.30am weekdays.

UPDATE: As at 11.30am, 14 May 2019 there have been 23 confirmed cases of measles since 1 April 2019, of which 7 have had a hospital admission.


Confirmed measles cases by district:
Western Bay - 19
Eastern Bay - 0
Rotorua - 0
Taupō - 4


The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is free and very effective in preventing measles.  After just one dose of MMR vaccine about 95% of people will be protected from measles, and 99% of people who have had two MMR doses will be protected from measles.

People born before 1 January 1969 are considered to be immune because virtually everyone got measles prior to the measles immunisations being introduced that year, and so this older age group does not need to have the measles immunisations.

The first early symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, sore red eyes and cough, followed a few days later by a rash usually starting on the face before moving down the body.

If you think you or someone in your family may have measles, stay at home and phone your doctor to alert them of your symptoms and allow them to make arrangements to assess you safely and without infecting other people, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice. Please do not just turn up to your GP, after hours or emergency department without first phoning ahead as you could potentially infect others. 

More information about measles

Measles is present in a number of countries overseas and occasionally causes outbreaks in New Zealand.

What is measles?

  • Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that can be serious. 

  • It is spread from person to person through the air by breathing, sneezing or coughing. Just being in the same room as someone with measles can lead to infection if you are not immune.

Who is at risk of measles infection?
People are at risk of getting measles if they are not immune to measles. People who are regarded as not immune to measles are:

  • People born after 1 January 1969 who have not had two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

  • Infants under the age of 15 months who have not received their first routine dose of MMR vaccine at 15 months old.  They are susceptible and rely on everyone else to be immune so that measles does not spread to them.

  • Children over 4 years who have not received their second dose of MMR.

What should you do?

  • Ensure you are up to date with your immunisations.

  • If you are not immune it is important to be aware of the symptoms of measles.  The early symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, sore red eyes and cough.

  • After 3 to 5 days a red, blotchy rash appears on the face and head and then spreads down the body.

If you develop symptoms of measles:

  • Stay at home and away from public places (such as sports events, gatherings, parties, school, work, child care, shopping centres, public transport and so on).

  • See your doctor as soon as possible so a diagnosis can be confirmed.  However, phone the surgery ahead to alert them of your symptoms and to allow them to make arrangements to assess you safely and without infecting other people.

  • If you are unable to visit your GP phone Healthline on 0800 611 116.