Health New Zealand urges Nelson community to check for symptoms and local exposure events

We are encouraging people in the Nelson community to stay alert for measles symptoms after a measles case was confirmed in Nelson last week. This is especially important if they’ve been at any of the recent locations of interest published. 

Two further cases of measles have been confirmed over the long weekend, both in Wellington, as part of a national measles outbreak. This brings the current total number of known cases across the motu to 10, with more cases expected as the response continues.   

Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious and potentially long-term health problems. People with measles often feel very unwell, but you may be contagious even before you get any symptoms. 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 feel unwell, please stay home and contact your healthcare provider or call Healthline on 0800 611 116  for free advice, 24/7.  

The Victus Coffee & Eatery and the Nelson Hospital Employee Gym have been identified as a close contact Locations of Interest (external link). If you were at either of these locations on the relevant dates and times listed below and have not been contacted by public health, please call Healthline urgently and follow the advice for close contacts (external link).  

It is also very important you stay home until you have received public health advice as you may be infectious and could be at risk of passing measles on to others within your community.