Measles alert in Rotorua

24 April 2014

Measles alert in Rotorua

Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service (Toi Te Ora) advises that people who visited the following locations on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 April 2014 may have been exposed to measles:
• Skyline Gondola ride between 11am and 2.15pm on 19 April 2014
• Skyline Gondola Restaurant between 11.30 am and 2pm on 19 April 2014
• Devonwood Motel from 4pm on 18 April to 10am on 19 April 2014

“We can confirm that an individual who has now been diagnosed with measles visited these locations on the 18 and 19 April 2014,” says Medical Officer of Health Dr Phil Shoemack. “Unfortunately, this person would have been infectious at the time of their visit to Rotorua.”

It can take 10-14 days for someone who has caught measles to start showing any symptoms. Anyone who may have caught measles from the infected person will start to feel unwell by Tuesday 29 April 2014, at the latest.

“Patrons who sat close to the case in the Skyline Gondola Restaurant have the highest risk and are our first priority,” says Dr Shoemack. “They will be contacted by their local public health service. However because measles is an infectious, airborne disease, we want all possible contacts to be vigilant.”

Measles symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that starts on the face and neck before spreading elsewhere.

Any people who visited these locations on these dates and who feel unwell should phone their GP or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice. It is vitally important to call first before seeing a doctor because measles is highly infectious, and people with measles can infect others in the waiting room.

Measles is a serious illness, says Dr Shoemack and there is no treatment. “The only way to avoid catching measles is to have had two measles vaccines after your first birthday. Please check with your GP to see if you and your family are protected.”

For more information:
Visit the Toi Te Ora website for information on measles, at: http://www.ttophs.govt.nz/measles

For vaccination advice contact the Immunisation Advisory Centre on 0800 IMMUNE or visit www.immune.org.nz/diseases/measles

ENDS

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