Today we’re confirming one additional measles case, in the Auckland region. This brings the current total number of known cases to 14.  
 
This latest case was present at Auckland Grammar School during their infectious period, on Friday 24 October.  
 
Students in Years 9 and 10 may have been in contact with this person and have therefore been asked to stay home in quarantine while their immunity is checked.  
 
Health New Zealand’s National Public Health Service is working with Auckland Grammar School to complete this process of confirming immunity today, and students who are immune will be able to return to school on Monday 3 November. We are grateful to the school community for its patience as health staff work through this. 
 
Auckland Grammar School is working closely with public health staff to prevent further spread of this serious and contagious virus in the school community. All Auckland Grammar School staff and students have been asked to remain alert to the symptoms of measles over the next fortnight.

Measles cases by region as of Friday 31 October 1pm

What you need to know 

Locations of interest can be found here (external link). If anyone at these locations develops measles symptoms (even if they have resolved), they should contact Healthline on 0800 611 116 urgently for advice.   

Measles symptoms can 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, which can last up to one week    

If you suspect you may have measles, please phone ahead before visiting your doctor, or your Hauora Māori Provider or Pacific health provider so they can take precautions to prevent measles spreading. You can call Healthline for free anytime on 0800 611 116 for information and advice.  

Immunisation is the best protection against measles. When given from 12 months of age, two doses of the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine protects about 99 per cent of people from getting measles. 

More information 

People can check their immunity status by visiting info.health.nz/measles-immunity (external link) or call the Vaccination Helpline for free on 0800 28 29 26. 

You can call Healthline for free anytime on 0800 611 116 for information and advice.   
 
For more information about MMR vaccination visit: info.health.nz/MeaslesVaccine (external link). 

Northland | Te Tai Tokerau

1

Auckland  | Tamaki Makaurau

5*

Taranaki

1

Manawatū

2

Wellington

4*

Nelson

1

TOTAL

14*

*Indicates change in the past 24 hours

Locations of interest

Health NZ continues to publish locations of interest online as they are confirmed, and where we are unable to contact everyone who may have been exposed to a measles case. Please refer to our website here:

Measles: Locations of interest in Aotearoa New Zealand - Health NZ (external link) 

Additionally, if anyone at these locations subsequently develops measles symptoms (even if they have resolved), contact Healthline on 0800 611 116 urgently for advice.   

Quarantine requirements

As we work to stop the spread of measles, where appropriate, we may ask some close contacts to stay home in quarantine as a precaution until public health teams can confirm their immunity. Our teams will also provide advice on when the quarantine needs to start and end, which will depend on when they were exposed.  

Confirming a person’s immunity requires evidence of having received two measles vaccinations or laboratory evidence of previous infection or immunity.  

When there are large exposure events, such as exposures at schools involving hundreds of contacts, this takes time to confirm. We appreciate people’s patience as we work through this. 

Once a person’s immunity is confirmed, they can be released from quarantine. 

Stay home if unwell 

We strongly encourage anyone who is feeling unwell to stay at home and to contact Healthline or their healthcare provider if you have any symptoms of measles, even if you have not been at one of the known locations of interest.  

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

See here for more information about measles, including symptoms:

Measles immunity - Health NZ (external link)

Vaccination is the best protection

Getting two doses of the MMR vaccine after 12 months of age protects 99% of people from measles and is free for most people. 

Visit Book a vaccine for a list of vaccination sites in your area:

Book a vaccine - Health NZ (external link)