Measles Statistics Weekly Update #6

Monday 15 August 2011

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service can confirm:
• 108 confirmed cases of measles in the Auckland region as of this morning
• Three contacts are in quarantine
• Seven cases have required hospitalisation during this outbreak
• Most cases have occurred in West Auckland with some spread to Central Auckland, North Shore, and Manukau
• There have been two cases of rubella notified in the region in the last week

Medical Officer of Health, Dr Richard Hoskins says “There has been a recent case of measles in a child who attended Mainly Music pre-school in Cheltenham, the pre-school has been advised to let all parents with unimmunised children know about the case and to exclude those children from attendance.

“Last week the unimmunised students of Henderson Valley School were also advised to be excluded, this followed one case of confirmed measles in an unimmunised student.

“If you care for other people or young children as part of your work, it’s important that you are fully immunised to protect them and you. Remember it is never too late, if you or your child are behind with or missed out on the MMR vaccination you can catch up.

“If you are unsure of you or your child’s immunisation status, check with your GP.

“Measles is highly infectious so please phone your GP first before going to the surgery; symptoms include fever, cough, blocked nose, sore red eyes. If you think you or anyone in your family might have measles, contact your GP or Healthline on 0800 611 116, for advice.” says Dr Hoskins

Rubella

Medical Officer of Health, Dr Richard Hoskins says, “Auckland Regional Public Health Service has been notified of two confirmed rubella cases in the Auckland region in the past week. Rubella is a significant disease, especially for women during the first four months of pregnancy, it can have severe effects to the unborn child, which can include deafness, blindness, brain damage and heart defects. The measles, mumps & rubella (MMR) vaccine is the only protection against rubella, we recommend all pregnant women or those who intend to become pregnant to check their immune status.”

For further information about rubella visit www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/immunisation-diseasesandvaccines-rubella

ENDS

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