Measles Update
Waikato District Health Board’s Population Health service has to date (2 July 2014) been notified of 95 confirmed measles cases – an increase of 11 since the last update on 27 June.
Of the 95 cases, 48 are laboratory confirmed and the rest are close contacts of a confirmed case with a clinically compatible illness.
Almost a quarter of the confirmed cases are household contacts of a confirmed case and were already placed in quarantine before they were unwell.
“Approximately 80 per cent of cases are aged between 10-20 years of age,” said Waikato DHB medical officer of health Dr Anita Bell.
“The other 20 per cent are aged under 10 years and are close contacts of confirmed cases in quarantine as they were not vaccinated. Seven cases have been hospitalised but are now well.”
Of the 95 cases, only four have been immunised with two documented doses of the measles, mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and four cases have received one documented dose of MMR (not fully immunised for dates).
Approximately 50 cases with a clinical illness like measles have been investigated and were found not to have measles.
Schools with current quarantine management in place are:
Maeroa
Intermediate – out of quarantine 11 July
Hamilton Boys
High – out of quarantine tomorrow (4 July)
Frankton
Primary – out of quarantine Saturday 5 July
For more information about measles symptoms and management, visit www.waikatodhb.health.nz/measles
ENDS