Passengers on a flight from southeast Asia are being contacted after it was discovered a woman with measles was on the plane, bringing the number of confirmed cases in Canterbury to more than three dozen.
Canterbury District Health Board Medical Officer of Health Dr Ramon Pink gave an update on the outbreak in a press conference this afternoon.
"We have 37 confirmed cases of measles with a further nine under investigation," he said.
"The 36th case was passenger was on a flight from southeast Asia who travelled while unwell, and we are following up with those on that flight who may be susceptible to measles," Dr Pink said.
He broke down the age group numbers who have measles as more vaccines are being made available.
"There are four cases with those who are aged zero to 12 months, and eight cases with those aged 12 months to 18 years old.
"The main cluster of cases are with those aged between 19 to 28, where there are 13, and there are nine people with measles aged between 29 to 50."
Two people aged over 50 also have contracted the disease.
People are now also able to get a second dose of the measles vaccine in a bid to raise immunity levels to 98 per cent - up from 95 per cent for those who have had one dose.
Dr Pink says the trend of cases is slowing down but urged people not to become complacent.
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