Measles infections rise to 57

HEALTH officials are confident they can contain the measles outbreak in the South, despite a rash of new cases being confirmed in the region.

Public Health South said seven new cases were confirmed yesterday afternoon taking the total number for the region to 57. Cases of the highly infectious disease had previously been confined to Queenstown, but two new measles cases had been identified in Dunedin, two in Wanaka, and one in Oamaru.

‘‘Our numbers are escalating, and we are actively contact tracing and trying to contain the outbreak,’’ medical officer of health Susan Jack said.

‘‘It is a lot of work, but we do not think it is out of control at the moment.’’

One of the Dunedin cases is a University of Otago student, who attended firstyear business studies and law lectures from September 23 to October 2.

Health officials were working with the university to try to keep students healthy, Dr Jack said.

‘‘We are looking to trace people who are unvaccinated or haven’t had two full MMR vaccinations. Everyone else should be protected,’’ she said.

‘‘We are working very closely with Student Health.’’

There was no link between the student’s illness and the visit to the city last month of an infectious measles patient who stayed at Arana and attended a concert, Dr Jack said. The other Dunedin case is not a student.

An infectious person also visited Gore, although no cases have been confirmed there.

Anyone who thinks they might have been exposed to measles should isolate themselves at once if they start to get ill, Dr Jack said.

New Zealand has been struck by a serious measles outbreak and with more that 1000 people have contracted the disease.

Children under 5 have been given priority for vaccination.

Dr Jack said an appeal had gone out to the Ministry of Health for more supplies of the measles vaccine, but there were sufficient stocks for priority patients.

‘‘If any parents of under5s have children who are due or late for their vaccination, there is enough vaccine for them and they should make an appointment and get their children vaccinated.’’

Although cases continued to be identified in Queenstown, Dr Jack believed the outbreak there could be controlled.

‘‘It is in the community now, and we continue to ask people if they have been asked to stay in isolation to remain so.

‘‘We do ask that if you do have any symptoms suggestive of measles — cough, runny nose, fever, conjunctivitis and a rash — that you call ahead before you seek care.’’