While there have been no new measles cases over the weekend, Health New Zealand is concerned about several locations of interest identified where people are considered close contacts and are at higher risk of being infected. 

If you were present at any of the below locations on the days and times listed, you must call Healthline urgently on 0800 611 116, as you could be at risk of developing measles and spreading it to others.  

  • BP Connect Richmond, Queen Street, Nelson: 16 November, 1:15PM to 2:15PM
  • Eagle Bar, Karangahape Road, Auckland: 29 November, 12:00AM to 2:30AM
  • G.A.Y. Club, Karangahape Road, Auckland: 29 November, 1:15AM to 2:45AM
  • Eagle Bar, Karangahape Road, Auckland:30 November, 1:45AM to 3:55AM
  • G.A.Y. Club, Karangahape Road, Auckland:30 November, 2:45AM to 4:25AM
  • Hikari Teppanyaki, Grant Road, Frankton: 1 December, 6:00PM to 8:45PM
  • Dunedin Public Hospital, Emergency Department: 2 December, 1:00PM to 2:30PM
  • OPSM, Grant Road, Frankton: 2 December, 2:10PM to 3:40PM
  • Chemist Warehouse, Queenstown: 2 December, 7:50PM to 9:00PM
  • Carters, Glenda Drive, Queenstown: 2 December, 2:45PM to 4:15PM
  • The Ballarat, Queenstown: 2 December, 8:05PM to 10:30PM

Attendees at those locations or events that occurred on or before 30 November could be at risk of spreading measles to others from today, so these people also need to stay at home and avoid seeing others until they’ve phoned Healthline and received advice. 

Our locations of interest (external link) page has been updated to reflect the latest information and will continue to be added to as new locations are determined. We encourage people to check the page and follow the advice for close or casual contacts, and to monitor for symptoms of measles. 

This means anyone who develops symptoms of measles, including runny nose, fever, cough, and sore red eyes, and a rash starting at the face, should stay home, and contact Healthline on 0800 611 116, or their usual healthcare provider. Please call ahead before visiting a healthcare provider, this allows them to take steps to prevent the illness spreading.

We also encourage people to check their immunisation status (external link) and get their MMR vaccination if they have not already had two documented doses of the vaccine, or can’t show that they’ve had measles before.

With retailers, events, travel providers and airports all identified as recent locations where people could have been exposed to measles, we continue to urge everyone – especially people travelling or attending busy public places or large events – to protect themselves and others as we head into the busy holiday season. 

Measles can have a long incubation period and is highly contagious, so anyone planning to travel, either internationally or within New Zealand, is strongly encouraged to check their immunisation status and get vaccinated if needed.

Public Health Specialist Dr Matt Reid said that in the 50 days since 18 October (the first case of this outbreak) 60,808 MMR doses had been delivered as of 7 December, compared to 22,000 in the 50 days before the outbreak. 

“Immunisation is the best protection against measles,” Dr Reid says. 

“The more people who are immune to measles, the better - as high community immunisation coverage protects those people in our whānau who can’t be immunised (babies under 12 months of age, people who are pregnant, or people who are immunocompromised).” 

Get protected before you travel over the holiday period   

Health NZ is reminding anyone with overseas travel plans over the holiday period to check their immunisation status and to catch up on any missed MMR vaccination as soon as possible before leaving New Zealand.    

Two doses of the MMR vaccine (after the age of 12 months) protect about 99 per cent of people from getting measles.

Some countries may require proof of immunisation. Please check the SafeTravel website for more information, here: SafeTravel (external link)    

Allow time before you travel      

It can take two weeks to develop immunity after a dose of the MMR vaccination and two MMR doses (after the age of 12 months) at least a month apart is required for full immunity. 

Monitor for symptoms  

Health New Zealand is reminding people who have recently returned from overseas travel or have whānau visiting from abroad to monitor for measles symptoms and follow public health advice.  

Measles cases by region as of Sunday 7 December 1pm.   

Northland | Te Tai Tokerau       1      
Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau       11
Waikato    1  
Taranaki       1      
Manawatū       2      
Wellington |Te Whanganui-a-Tara      8  
Nelson | Whakatū    4    
Dunedin | Ōtepoti    1   
Queenstown  1
TOTAL       30

*Indicates change in the past 24 hours. 

For more information, please contact hnzmedia@tewhatuora.govt.nz