Measles Outbreak Alert: Public Health Advice

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Auckland Regional Public Health Service’s Medical Officer of Health Dr Richard Hoskins has one confirmed measles cases with several more possible cases under investigation this week. All are children and the confirmed case attended the 10:50am screening of 3D Pirates of the Caribbean at St Lukes Cinemas on Saturday 28 May.

Movie goers who attend that session may be at risk of measles infection if they have not been immunised. Movie goers who attended that particular movie screening should:
• Check that immunisations are up to date, if they are not you should call your doctor to arrange catch-up.
• If you or your children start to develop measles symptoms (runny nose, cough, sore eyes, fever or red rash) up to the 11th of June, which is the Saturday after the long weekend, please stay at home, limit visitors, and call your doctor to arrange an appointment. Make sure you tell your doctor that it might be measles before visiting.

Dr Hoskins advises: “Measles is highly infectious and makes people very sick. Vaccination is the only protection from this potentially serious disease. This disease spreads easily through the air, especially from coughing and sneezing – it is highly infectious. It commonly causes ear infections and pneumonia, and may lead to other serious complications and can, in some cases, be fatal.”
“These latest measles cases confirm that measles is still circulating in our communities so it’s really important that children are immunised to protect them from needless suffering.

Additional Public Health Advice
• Check your children’s immunisations are up to date and take action if required (this information should be in your child’s Plunket/Well Child book – or alternatively contact your GP or practice nurse)
• Prompt identification can help limit the spread of measles to others, so if you or anyone in your care displays common symptoms such as a red rash, runny nose, cough, sore eyes or fever, seek medical help by contacting Healthline on 0800 611 116 or your local doctor – do this before visiting a doctor to minimise the spread of infection
• Avoid visiting households where there are suspected or confirmed measles cases
• If you are planning to travel abroad, strongly consider getting vaccinated against measles before you go, as measles is prevalent in many overseas countries.
Please attribute the above statements to Medical Officer of Health Dr Richard Hoskins.

ENDS

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