Two new measles cases in Canterbury
A further two people in Canterbury have contracted measles, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to seven.
A woman in her 40s and a preschool aged child from Christchurch were diagnosed with the disease.
Health authorities said last week three people in Rangiora and Christchurch had contracted measles: a teenager and a man and a woman in their 40s.
A fourth person with the disease was confirmed on Thursday, while a fifth person, a child, was confirmed on Friday.
Measles is a potentially lifethreatening disease and people need to take serious precautions to stop its spread, Canterbury medical officer of health Dr Ramon Pink said.
‘‘People should stay in isolation from the time that they may have become infected until five days after the rash first appears,’’ he said.
This meant staying home from school or work and having no contact with anyone not immunised. If others in households were not immunised, they also needed to stay in isolation for 14 days from their likely first exposure.
‘‘Because measles is so infectious, it’s important people with symptoms don’t visit their GP or after-hours clinics but phone their family doctor/general practice team for advice instead, to avoid infecting other people,’’ Pink said.
‘‘People should only go to the hospital if it’s an emergency and should inform staff immediately if they think they have measles.’’
Anyone with measles symptoms or who believe they could have been exposed should contact their GP 24/7 for additional advice.
Calls made after hours would be answered by a nurse who
would advise people what to do and where to go.
‘‘If you have had two MMR vaccinations or were born before 1969, you are considered immune to measles. Everyone else may be vulnerable to infection,’’ Dr Pink says.
Those born overseas or who are unsure which vaccinations they might have had, should contact their general practice team for advice.
The measles vaccine and the appointment to get it is free to all those who are eligible for funded healthcare in New Zealand.
More information about measles is available from the Ministry of Health and the Immunisation Advisory Centre.
‘‘Because measles is so infectious, it’s important people with symptoms don’t visit their GP or after hours clinics . . . Canterbury medical officer of health Dr Ramon Pink