Important Notice Concerning Measles Risk

Important Notice Concerning Measles Risk

Tuesday 20 September 2011 Measles:

Passengers that travelled by air from Auckland to Wellington on 13 September and Wellington to Auckland on 15 September might have been exposed to the measles virus. The passenger who was in the early stages of measles and capable of infecting others was carried on the following flights:

* Jetstar flight JQ265 to Wellington Departed Auckland at 10.30am on Tuesday, 13 September 2011

* Air New Zealand flight NZ446 to Auckland. Departed Wellington at 3.00pm on Thursday, 15 September 2011

"All passengers should check their immune status, if in doubt contact your GP. People who are not immune should check the ARPHS website (www.arphs.govt.nz/notifiable/measles.asp) for advice about quarantine. Any passengers on those flights, especially young children, displaying symptoms of measles should immediately telephone their doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116, for advice. It is important to call your doctor first because measles is highly infectious and people with it can infect others in waiting areas," says Dr Hoskins.

The measles outbreak is now into its fourth month, and we have seen an increase in the number of measles cases in the Auckland region.

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service can confirm:

* 157 confirmed cases of measles in the Auckland region since 30 May 2011 as of this morning. * 29 contacts are currently in quarantine. * 23 cases have required hospitalisation during this outbreak.
* Most initial cases occurred in West Auckland with some spread to Central Auckland, North Shore, and Manukau, however most recent cases have occurred in central Auckland and most are not linked to previous cases.

Dr Hoskins says "It's important that people in Auckland continue to take actions to protect themselves from measles, including making sure that everyone in your family is up to date with their immunisations. If you are feeling unwell you should avoid any unnecessary travel, contact your doctor and stay at home, away from young children who may not be fully immunised or persons with lower immunity. Measles is highly infectious."

It's never too late - if you or anyone in your family are behind with, or missed out on the MMR vaccination, you can catch up.

"Please phone your doctor or 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 doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116, for advice." says Dr Hoskins

ENDS

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