Measles concern on the rise in South Canterbury
While there have been no confirmed cases of measles in South Canterbury, doctors and nurses have been dealing with an increasing number of concerned people as the virus continues to spread through Canterbury.
Twenty-five cases have been confirmed in Canterbury and that number is likely to increase due to the highly contagious nature of the measles virus.
Timaru’s Parkside Medical Centre general practitioner Dr Mary McSherry said many people called the centre’s nurses yesterday voicing concerns about the spread of measles.
She said they were also unsure about the availability of vaccines.
‘‘We’re not sure how many vaccines we can get so we’re keeping them for the babies at this stage,’’ McSherry said.
‘‘Tomorrow [Tuesday] we’ll find out how many vaccines we can get but there is definitely concern in the community.’’
She said there were no reports of measles in South Canterbury but if people suspected they were infected they must take immediate precautions.
‘‘If they suspect they have a child with measles, they should ring the practice nurse and we’d arrange for the child to be seen but they’ll have to keep the child isolated in the waiting area.’’
Measles is a serious, highly infectious, potentially lifethreatening disease. People are infectious from five days before the onset of the rash until five days after the rash appears.
McSherry said the outbreak served as a timely reminder to people about the importance of immunisation.
‘‘If parents are aware that their child is overdue for any of their vaccinations, it is a timely reminder to make arrangements for their vaccinations to be kept up to date.’’
Nurses at other general practices in South Canterbury confirmed the number of inquiries regarding measles had increased yesterday.
Canterbury medical officer of health Cheryl Brunton said that of the additional vaccination supplies requested, none were destined for South Canterbury.
‘‘It is expected that any vaccine orders from South Canterbury that have been made will be fulfilled as usual,’’ she said.
She said it was important for people to call their GP for advice and information before going to the clinic if they suspected they had measles.
‘‘This is so you don’t expose other people in the GP’s waiting room to the virus.’’
Arowhenua Whanau Services primary health nurse Jackie Corby said the clinic was not doing anything specific for measles, and they were following the guidance of the Ministry of Health. ‘‘We haven’t had anybody present with symptoms or suspecting they do.’’