Three measles cases in Canterbury

Facts of the disease

Measles is highly contagious – if one person has it, 90 per cent of the people close to them, who are not immune will also become infected. Measles can take up to three weeks for symptoms to appear. Symptoms include coughing, a runny nose, inflamed eyes, a sore throat, fever and a red, blotchy skin rash. Measles cannot be treated once you get it so the only way to protect yourself is to be fully vaccinated. People are only considered immune if they have received two doses of MMR vaccine, have had a measles illness previously or were born before 1969. Canterbury medical officer of health Dr Ramon Pink Medical clinics around Canterbury are on high alert for any children presenting with symptoms of high fevers, rash and conjunctivitis following three new confirmed cases of measles in Rangiora and Christchurch.

A Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) spokesman said the region’s medical officers of health had been in meetings regarding the outbreak for most of yesterday.

Canterbury medical officer of health Dr Ramon Pink said yesterday afternoon there were three new confirmed cases of measles from Rangiora and Christchurch.

He said a teenage boy, a man and a woman in her 40s were all found to have the highly infectious virus.

Two of the people confirmed have measles were admitted Christchurch Hospital.

One of the patients had been ‘‘very sick’’ but was improving while the other was due to be released ‘‘shortly’’, Pink said.

None of the three people had been immunised.

It was unclear where and how the three received the virus.

Pink said this was a timely reminder of how important it was to get immunised to safeguard from the highly contagious virus.

‘‘The complications from measles are serious. [You can get] ear infections, chest infections and you can get neurological complications . . . and they are potentially fatal.

‘‘That’s why it is a really important reminder to the public that vaccination is protective.’’

Meanwhile, no new cases of measles have been reported in Otago after a teen was diagnosed with the virus late last week.

An 18-year-old university student sparked a measles watch in Dunedin after she was diagnosed with the highly contagious virus on Friday.

Southern medical officer of health Dr Susan Jack said no new cases of measles had been identified since.

Officials had traced all close contacts of the woman and ‘‘any further action required has been completed’’, she said.

The Ministry of Health says measles is a highly infectious virus that spreads easily from person to person through the air by breathing, coughing and sneezing.

It affects both children and adults. A person with measles is infectious five days before and five days after the rash appears.

The ministry says it is extremely important for people to stay in isolation if they are asked to do so, to protect vulnerable people including babies, pregnant women, cancer patients and others who are unable to be immunised.

Measles can be life threatening: about 1 in 10 people with measles will need hospital treatment, according to the ministry.

People are considered immune if they have received two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, have had a measles illness previously, or were born before 1969.

MMR is available from GP practices and is free to eligible persons, although there may be an administration fee.

Two doses of the measles vaccine provides the most effective protection.

‘‘[You can get] ear infections, chest infections and you can get neurological complications . . . and they are potentially fatal. That’s why it is a really important reminder to the public that vaccination is protective.’’

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