Public warning over measles

A case of measles has been confirmed in the Wellington region.

Regional Public Health is asking anyone who may have been in contact with the sick person to watch out for symptoms.

The infected person visited several places across the region before being diagnosed. On Wednesday, the person went to Ropata Pharmacy on High St in Lower Hutt between 4.45pm and 6.15pm.

Between Sunday and Wednesday, the person spent work hours at Capital City Motors on Taranaki St in Wellington. The person also spent time at the Wainuiomata soccer clubrooms at Richard Prouse Park in Wainuiomata, between 3pm and 5.30pm.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Annette Nesdale said anyone who had been in those locations and was not sure if they were immunised, should call their doctor and check.

Measles was highly contagious and easily spread from one person to another through the air via sneezing or coughing, she said.

‘‘We are contacting people who have been in contact with the unwell person. However, because measles is an airborne disease, anyone who was at the above listed locations at the times specified should remain vigilant.’’

The only way to avoid catching measles was to have been vaccinated, or if you had already had the disease before, Nesdale said.

Measles - which can be serious for small children - is most infectious in the days before the classical measles rash develops. It can take between 10 and 14 days for someone who has caught measles to start showing any symptoms.

Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that starts on the face and neck before spreading elsewhere.