A hospital emergency department's waiting room has been named as a location of interest as Health New Zealand today confirmed two new measles cases in Auckland – three weeks after the outbreak was declared over.
The cases, from the same household, were linked to recent overseas travel.
Contact tracing was now underway and all individuals would be provided with advice, Te Whatu Ora said.
The locations of interest included:
- Flight SQ281 from Singapore to Auckland which arrived in New Zealand on February 17
- Auckland International Airport from 11.30pm on February 17 to 1.30am on February 18
- Waitakere Hospital Emergency Department waiting room from 9am to 11am on February 21
Public Health was attempting to contact all people on the flight and from Waitakere Hospital ED directly. Anyone who sat in rows 31 to 46 on flight SQ281 and had not been contacted by Public Health was asked to call Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Measles symptoms include an illness that begins with high fever (over 38C); a cough; runny nose; sore red eyes (conjunctivitis); and a rash, beginning on the face and gradually spreading down the body to the arms and legs. The rash lasts for up to one week.
The outbreak of the disease was declared officially over by Health NZ's National Public Health Service three weeks ago, after a first case was confirmed in September.
Medical Officer of Health Dr Richard Vipond said measles was a serious and highly infectious illness which could affect adults as well as children and babies.
"If you have symptoms of measles, please phone ahead before visiting your doctor or healthcare provider so they can take precautions to prevent measles spreading," he said.
"These cases are another reminder for everyone to check if you and your whānau are immune to measles. They highlight New Zealand’s ongoing vulnerability to further outbreaks, especially related to overseas travel due to our low immunisation rates."
Vipond said getting immunised with two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine was "the best form of protection against measles".
"Anyone travelling overseas, including adults and children, should make sure they’re up to date with two doses of the MMR vaccine after 12 months of age.
"If you are travelling to a country with an active measles outbreak, infants between the ages of 4 and 11 months may be advised to have an additional free dose of the MMR vaccine early."
The MMR vaccine is free in New Zealand for all children under 18, regardless of immigration status, and for adults 18 years old and over who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare, including all citizens and permanent residents.
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