Measles

Prodrome, can include:

• fever (above 38°C)
• cough
• coryza
• conjunctivitis.

Day 3 to 7 of illness

A generalised maculopapular rash, starting on the head and neck and then spreading to the rest of the body.

Notify the Medical Officer of Health as soon as you suspect measles – do not wait for a laboratory confirmation.

Post-exposure MMR vaccination and exclusion

Measles patients are infectious from four days before the rash appears until four days after the rash appears (counting the day of rash onset as day 0).

Implement Infection Prevention and Control measures, for example:

• Identify suitable triage and isolation areas for suspect measles cases. Ideally an AIIR otherwise a single room with the door kept closed.
• Allow only immune staff to have contact with the patient.
• Staff to wear a P2/N95 particulate respirator and eye protection.
• Staff should follow standard and airborne precautions. 

Be prepared for suspected measles cases who may not have called ahead, for example, by placing signs, hand gels and surgical masks at waiting room entrances or reception desks.

With active measles cases increasing around the world, and falling vaccination rates, Aotearoa New Zealand is at very high risk of a measles outbreak.  

Not enough people living in New Zealand are immunised against measles – just 1 case could start an outbreak. We need at least 95% of people to be immunised to prevent this. 

Immunisation is the protection against measles. It’s more important than ever for people to check they are protected. 

Find more information about immunisation on the NZ immunisations website

Te Whatu Ora has developed printable and shareable resources for primary care, after-hours clinics and emergency departments, businesses and community groups. These include a fact sheet, posters, and social media tiles.

For more information on immunisation go to our Immunise website.