Health New Zealand is responding to an escalating national risk of measles following confirmation of two new cases in the Manawatu and one new case in Nelson today.

These new cases, which include two children, are in addition to the case confirmed in  Auckland yesterday, and bring the total number of measles cases nationally so far to four.

Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious and potentially long-term health problems. During New Zealand’s measles epidemic in 2019, about one in three people needed hospital care.

National Public Health Service (NPHS) Public Health Medicine Specialist, Dr Sharon Sime, says there is also the potential for additional cases and they are exploring the possibility of undetected community transmission.

Locations of interest that the Nelson case and Manawatu cases visited while infectious are being investigated, and will be published online as they become available at: Measles: Locations of interest in Aotearoa New Zealand (external link)

The NPHS is managing the latest cases, and contact tracing is also underway across affected regions. Support and advice is being provided to all cases and contacts who are identified.

“These latest cases mean Aotearoa New Zealand is facing an escalating risk of measles outbreaks across the motu,” Dr Sime says.

“That’s why it’s essential that people in these regions – particularly those who have visited any of the published locations of interest – remain vigilant for measles symptoms, and if they start to feel unwell, to stay home and seek healthcare advice.”

Measles symptoms include:

  • an illness that begins with high fever (over 38 C), cough, runny nose, and sore red eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • a rash, beginning on the face and gradually spreading down the body to the arms and legs. The rash lasts for up to one week.

If you suspect you may have measles, please phone ahead before visiting your doctor, your Hauora Māori Provider or Pacific health provider so they can take precautions to prevent measles spreading.

You can also call Healthline for free anytime on 0800 611 116 for information and advice.

“All of these cases – including those linked to recent overseas travel – highlight the importance of people getting immunised to provide the best protection from measles, which is a very serious illness that can affect anyone, regardless of age,” Dr Sime says.

“The best protection is to make sure you are up to date with two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine after 12 months of age. It’s never too late to get a vaccination no matter your age, and immunisations are free for most people in Aotearora New Zealand.

“Measles is also circulating in many countries, so we urge all travellers to check their vaccination status before travelling and get an MMR vaccine if needed, at least two weeks before travel. It is not harmful to have additional MMR vaccinations if they are unsure.”

The MMR vaccine is free in New Zealand for anyone aged under 18, and for people over 18 who are eligible for free healthcare.

You can book a vaccination appointment with a pharmacy, your doctor, nurse, or Hauora Māori or Pacific health provider.

Visit info.health.nz/bookavaccine (external link) for a list of vaccination sites in your area.

For information about checking if you are fully protected against measles, visit info.health.nz/measles (external link) or call the Vaccination Helpline 0800 28 29 26. The Helpline is available from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays). Interpreter services and NZ Relay support are also available.

Free NZ Relay Services are available at nzrelay.co.nz (external link) if you are Deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or have speech communication difficulties.

For more information about measles visit: http://info.health.nz/measles (external link)