The Southern District Health Board (DHB) has issued an alert to the public of their potential exposure to measles after a person travelling through Otago and Southland has been confirmed to have the disease while in the infectious period.  

The person visited the following venues: 

The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 23, with 22 being residents of Central Otago.

To date there have been no confirmed measles cases from Dunedin or Southland.

Southern DHB’s Medical Officer of Health Dr Susan Jack asked everyone to be alert for the symptoms and signs of the highly infectious illness. 

“Measles usually starts with a runny nose, sore throat, red eyes and headache. Cough and fever develop and a blotchy rash appears on the face at around day four of the illness and spreads down the body.

“If you develop these symptoms then you need to isolate yourself until you know for sure. Don’t go to the medical centre or emergency department unannounced but call ahead for advice or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.” 

Currently there are limited vaccines available at general practices. The MMR vaccination priority is to ensure all children across New Zealand receive their vaccines on time at 15 months and four years of age to maintain the national childhood immunisation schedule. 

The priority groups for vaccination are being reviewed regularly based first on priority children, then on who it is most important to target in local cases.

There is a focus on tracing people who may have been in contact with a known case, and isolating them if they are unimmunised or under-immunised.

It is important that those who have been asked to stay in isolation, do so for the recommended length of time to prevent possible spread. This is the best and most helpful action for the community at this stage.

The Immunisation Advisory Centre has provided up to date information about measles immunity and the MMR vaccine on their website: https://www.immune.org.nz/hot-topic/measles-overseas-and-new-zealand

For more information on measles please visit the Ministry of Health website.