Measles Outbreaks
So far this year, New Zealand has had 387 measles cases, which is the highest total since 1997. Most of these have been from the Auckland region (307 cases), and most of the Auckland cases have occurred since the start of the current outbreak on 30 May (278 cases).
Most cases have occurred in unimmunised people, and immunisation remains the best way to prevent infection and spread within the community. Measles affects both children and adults, and is highly contagious.
Measles symptoms
Measles is a highly infectious disease and is more serious than many people realise. Symptoms include fever, cough, red eyes and a runny nose, and then a rash which develops around 3 days after the other symptoms start. Complications can include middle ear infections, pneumonia, and, more rarely, encephalitis or brain inflammation. So far this year more than 70 people with measles have needed hospital treatment (around 1 in 5 cases this year).
The best measles prevention is the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine which is free for all New Zealand children. It is also free for adults who need it (this is if you are born from 1 January 1969 and have not been fully immunised). Prior to 1969, New Zealand did not have a national measles immunisation programme and as measles is so infectious, it is very likely that most people born before 1969 were exposed to the virus and developed immunity.
For further health information on measles and measles immunisation please visit the Ministry of Health website http://www.moh.govt.nz/measles or the Immunisation Advisory Centre website http://www.immune.org.nz . You can also call the Immunisation Advisory Centre toll-free on 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863) for advice.
If you think you or someone in your family might have measles, please phone your doctor. You can also call Healthline 0800 611 116 for advice (Healthline is a free service that operates 24 hours every day).