The threat of measles to the Bay of Plenty and Lakes communities is now much lower, with the last local case of measles confirmed in December.
During the outbreak, parents had the opportunity to protect their babies from measles by providing them with their first dose of MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine from 12 months of age and the second dose 28 days later.
Te Awamutu mother Ally Edwards-Lasenby thought she was doing the right thing by making an informed decision not to immunise her son against Measles at four years of age.
It was at a time when there was a lot of speculation about the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine causing autism later in life.
Measles is a highly infectious respiratory virus stemming from the paramyxovirus group that can be spread through coughing, sneezing and touching contaminated surfaces. Usually contracted during childhood, measles causes flu-like symptoms and a rash on the body.
The number of measles cases has been on the rise in the Counties Manukau district during the past few weeks. Officials are urging residents to take health warnings seriously and get their children immunised.
Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service can now confirm that there have been 10 cases of measles across the Bay of Plenty and Lakes areas since early October. The majority of the cases have been in Tauranga and Rotorua, and measles is likely to spread within the region. There have been over 400 confirmed cases of measles to date in New Zealand this year and at least 70 of these have required hospital treatment.
A staff member at Dunedin Hospital has been diagnosed with measles.
With the recent confirmation of people becoming infected with the measles in the Bay of Plenty, early protection is being encouraged by the Medical Officer of Health.
Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service has been on high alert for measles because of the current outbreak in New Zealand, which has been mainly in Auckland, Waikato and Hawkes Bay areas.
Auckland Regional Public Health Service can report that 24 new cases of measles across the Auckland region have been confirmed since last Tuesday.
Aucklanders are being asked to take extra precautions and to ensure they are fully immunised against measles as the number of people diagnosed with the disease in the region continues to grow.
Canterbury District Health Board’s Community and Public Health Division has been notified of a confirmed case of measles in Christchurch.
The Auckland Regional Public Health Service can confirm: 122 confirmed cases of measles in the Auckland region as of this morning, 3 contacts are in quarantine. Nine cases have required hospitalisation during this outbreak. Most cases have occurred in West Auckland with some spread to Central Auckland, North Shore, and Manukau. There have been seven cases of rubella notified in the region.
The Auckland Regional Public Health Service can confirm: 119 confirmed cases of measles in the Auckland region as of this morning, 10 contacts are in quarantine. Nine cases have required hospitalisation during this outbreak. Most cases have occurred in West Auckland with some spread to Central Auckland, North Shore, and Manukau. There have been seven cases of rubella notified in the region.
The Auckland Regional Public Health Service can confirm: 117 confirmed cases of measles in the Auckland region as of this morning. Two contacts are in quarantine, 9 cases have required hospitalisation during this outbreak. Most cases have occurred in West Auckland with some spread to Central Auckland, North Shore, and Manukau. There have been six cases of rubella notified in the region. The measles outbreak is now into its third month.
The Auckland Regional Public Health Service can confirm: 72 confirmed cases of measles in the Auckland region as of this morning, 5 contacts are in quarantine, 5cases have required hospitalisation during this outbreak. Most cases have occurred in West Auckland with some spread to Central Auckland, North Shore, and Manukau.
The Auckland Regional Public Health Service can confirm: 64 confirmed cases of measles in the Auckland region as of this afternoon, 8 contacts are in quarantine (plus unimmunised contacts in Titirangi Private Kindergarten, Avondale College, Whakaaranga School and Auckland Academy of Dance). Five cases have now required hospitalisation. Most cases have occurred in West Auckland with some spread to Central Auckland, North Shore, and Manukau.
With the school holidays about to start, parents are being asked to take some extra steps to stop measles spreading in New Zealand or overseas.
