Following further testing last night, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora public health officials can confirm the positive case of measles reported yesterday does not have measles as first suspected.

 

The child had symptoms of measles and initial testing indicated a positive measles infection. The second probable case of measles has also returned a negative result.

 

Both children are recovering well and are continuing to be supported by healthcare services. 

 

“I would like to acknowledge and thank the affected whānau. They did the right thing by calling Healthline for advice as soon as they were concerned for their children’s welfare,” says National Public Health Service Regional Clinical Director Dr William Rainger.

 

“Through this family’s quick thinking and full cooperation from them and identified close contacts health services were able to manage the situation efficiently and reduce the risk for others,”

 

The updated test results mean we have no known cases of measles in the community which is a relief and good news. 

 

“With New Zealand being at high risk of a measles outbreak and our vaccination rates too low to prevent that from happening, our national and regional public health service teams must take any suspected case of measles very seriously.”

 

“They responded rapidly to initial testing results and took appropriate actions to ensure close contacts were identified and people in the local community were notified of their potential increase in risk,” Dr Rainger says.

 

Measles is a serious and highly contagious illness, which can affect adults as well as children and babies. The illness spreads easily among people who are not immunised.

 

The best protection against measles is two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine – this provides lifelong protection in 99% of people.

 

Being immunised not only protects you, but also those around you from becoming seriously ill and from spreading the disease to others. This includes friends, family and people in your community.

 

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

 

Contact your doctor, nurse, pharmacy or healthcare provider to book a vaccination appointment. Measles, flu, COVID-19 and whooping cough vaccines (for ages 13 and over) can be booked online through Book My Vaccine.

 

“The fact that further testing indicates the child does not have measles after all, does not diminish the importance and the effectiveness of the actions undertaken by our public health officials over the past few days,” Dr Rainger says.

 

“I thank our health teams for their dedication to ensure that New Zealanders are given the most current information as quickly as possible to see that our people, particularly our most vulnerable, remain protected.”

 

If you or someone in your family has measles symptoms, stay at home and call Healthline immediately on 0800 611 116 so you can get free advice and public health support. Interpreter services are available.

 

Symptoms:

  • The first symptoms of measles are similar to COVID-19, or the common cold.
  • The illness begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and sore red eyes (conjunctivitis).
  • A rash appears 2-4 days after the first symptoms, beginning on the face and gradually spreading down the body to the arms and legs. The rash lasts for up to one week.

Information for people concerned that they have been exposed to the disease is available on info.health.nz