Measles Outbreak in Auckland - Junior Nationals 2019

From 1 January 2019 to 2 September 2019 there have been 963 confirmed cases of measles notified across New Zealand. 804 of these confirmed cases are in the Auckland region. Measles is highly contagious. Cases of measles are expected to rise in the foreseeable future, particularly in Auckland. Those not immunised against measles are at risk of contracting and spreading measles to others, particularly when gathering indoors, and/or for sports events, where athletes are in close contact with others, such as inside Squash Courts.

SNZ requests that anyone who is not yet immunised does not attend the forthcoming 2019 Junior National Championships unless they receive an MMR vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to the event i.e. by 19th September 2019.

Symptoms of Measles:

·         Measles symptoms include a high fever

·         runny nose,

·         Cough

·         sore red eyes

·         followed several days later by a rash starting on the face and neck before spreading to the rest of the body.

Someone with measles can spread it to others from five days before the rash appears until five days after. If somebody is confirmed as having measles, they will need to stay at home in isolation until five days after their rash first appeared. It’s important to check you are up to date with your immunisations, especially if you’re travelling overseas.

For more information please seek advice from the Ministry of Health web site.