Measles on Tonga-NZ flights

Authorities have sounded the alarm after a passenger infected with measles flew from Auckland to Tonga return in recent days.

People who were on the flights should be on guard for signs of the highly infectious disease, Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) medical officer of health Maria Poynter said.

The same measles patient flew from Auckland to Tonga and back over two days. The flights were: NZ270 departing Auckland at 8.30am on Monday, and NZ273 departing Nuku’alofa at 12.30pm.

Symptoms of measles include a high fever, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes, followed a few days later by a rash on the face and neck, spreading to the rest of the body.

‘‘It can take seven to 14 days to start experiencing symptoms and you are most at risk if you’re not immune to measles, either because you haven’t been vaccinated or you haven’t had the disease previously,’’ said Poynter.

Vaccination with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine offered the best protection against measles, she said.

One dose prevents the disease in 95 per cent of people, while having two doses will protect 99 per cent.

Passengers on the flight unsure if they were immune to the potentially deadly disease should check with their doctor or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice.

Passengers under 12 months of age and not immunised should be taken to their doctor urgently.

Those with a weakened immune system or who were pregnant and known not to be immune should also go to their doctor at once, Auckland Regional Public Health Service said.