Canterbury measles free

Canterbury measles free

New evidence indicates the two recent Canterbury measles cases were not actually measles.

Dr Alistair Humphrey, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, says a combination of factors have allowed health authorities to declare Canterbury measles free.

“The initial lab tests were positive for measles and informed the decision of health staff to work with the families to ensure the children were isolated throughout their infectious period.

“Further lab testing, combined with no identified source nor spread, other viruses known to be circulating which mimic measles and the cases’ clinical picture, makes health authorities confident the cases were not measles.

“Laboratory tests are an important piece of the evidence, but even an accurate lab test has to be interpreted in context.”

Dr Humphrey says health officials were right to act on the information provided.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause, blindness, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), deafness and pneumonia. If you don’t act quickly you run the risk of a widespread outbreak. It is important to treat positive lab results as measles until evidence suggests otherwise.

“It is better to be safe than sorry with such a serious, contagious disease, though we acknowledge that a suspect measles case can cause stress in the community – especially for parents of un-immunised children.

“The most important message is that measles is easily preventable by immunisation, which is free and safe. If a parent fails to immunise their child it not only puts their own child at risk of serious illnesses, but also puts other children in the community at risk.

“I am happy to say Canterbury remains measles free – let’s keep it that way,” Dr Humphrey says.

ENDS

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