Auckland Regional Public Health Services have advised of two measles cases in Auckland and Auckland’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr Willian Rainger, says that while isolated cases are inevitable, an outbreak remains unlikely.
However, he advises “Measles is one of the most contagious airborne diseases, and is infectious before the rash appears. It is very easily transmitted from one person to another, possibly by being the same space where an infected person has been.”
Symptoms of measles include a high fever, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes, followed by a rash starting around the head and spreading to the body. If you feel unwell, please call your General Practice first and advise if you have these symptoms, or if you may have been exposed to the illness. We need to avoid the infection of others, in the waiting room, should you just turn up.
For more information please refer to the link below:
Measles Immunisation Summary:
- Children aged 12 months or older are considered ‘fully immunised’ against measles when they have two documented MMR vaccinations, received when aged 12 months or older. Please check your child’s Plunket book.
- Adults born after 1 January 1969 are considered ‘fully immunised’ against measles when they have two documented MMR vaccinations, received when aged 12 months or older. Please check your Plunket book/vaccine records.
- Adults born before 1 January 1969 are considered immune to measles, as the disease was prevalent and circulating widely prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1969.
- Pregnant woman CANNOT receive the MMR vaccine.
If you do you not have access to your records, or need further advice, our preference is that you email your query to our Practice Nurse: nurse@onehealthgp.co.nz.