2 further measles cases in Greater Wellington Region
Regional Public Health (RPH), Wellington has been notified of two confirmed cases of measles and is asking people who may have been in contact with these people to watch out for symptoms.The infected people visited several public places before they were diagnosed. At these times the people did not know they had measles.
Medical Officer of Health Dr Annette Nesdale is asking members of the public who visited the following locations at the relevant times, to find out if they are protected from measles and be aware of the signs and symptoms (more details below).
Saturday 21 September:
JJ Murphy & Co Bar, 119 Cuba Street, between 9pm and midnight.
Number 2 Bus from Karori to Central Wellington between 8pm and 8.30pm.
Be aware of the symptoms of measles from now until Saturday 5 October inclusive.
Tuesday 24 September:
Sweet Axe Throwing Co, 58 Kent Terrace, between 6pm and 8pm.
Karori Countdown Supermarket, between 9pm and 9.30pm.
Be aware of the symptoms of measles from now until Tuesday 8 October inclusive.
Wednesday 25 September:
Sweet Axe Throwing Co, 58 Kent Terrace, between 6pm and 8pm.
Be aware of the symptoms of measles from now until Wednesday 9 October inclusive.
Thursday 26 September:
Work and Income Office, 84 Mill Road, Otaki between 8.15am – 10.30am
Be aware of the symptoms of measles from Thursday 3 October to Thursday 10 October inclusive.
Saturday 28 September:
Aro Café, 90 Aro Street, 12.45pm – 1.30pm
Be aware of the symptoms of measles from Saturday 5 October until Saturday 12 October inclusive.
Measles Symptoms
Symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes. A few days later a rash starts on the face and neck, before spreading to the rest of the body.
"You are most at risk if you’re not immune to measles, either because you haven’t been vaccinated or you haven’t had the disease previously. People who are not immune may start experiencing symptoms over the next week," Dr Nesdale says.
Anyone over the age of 50 years is considered immune as they would have been exposed to the virus as a child. Other people can check their Well Child or Plunket book for at least one measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination.
Anyone who was at the above locations at the specified times, who feels unwell, should phone their doctor or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice.
Measles is a highly infectious airborne disease that spreads easily through the air via coughing and sneezing.
If you do start to develop symptoms that could be measles, also contact your doctor. Be sure to call ahead to prevent potentially infecting others in the waiting room.
Vaccination with the MMR offers the best protection against measles. One dose will prevent measles in 95 per cent of people, while having two doses will protect 99 per cent of people who have the vaccine.
For more information about measles, visit the Regional Public Health website (http://www.rph.org.nz/measles/) and the Ministry of Health website (www.health.govt.nz/measles).
ENDS
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