Timely Reminder To Be Vigilant About Measles

Timely Reminder To Be Vigilant About Measles

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) is reminding parents about the risks associated with measles and the need to make sure your children’s vaccinations are up to date.

“With the school holidays here, and more children visiting public areas and socialising together, it’s important to remind parents to check that your children’s vaccinations are up to date,” says Medical Officer of Health Dr Richard Hoskins.

“In the recent measles outbreak, which appears to have now ended in the Auckland region, none of the 24 people notified with measles were vaccinated against measles,” he says. “However, there is still measles in other parts of New Zealand and worldwide so we are likely to see more imported cases.”

“Measles needs to be taken very seriously and can lead to serious complications,” says Dr Hoskins. “As the disease spreads easily through the air, especially from coughing and sneezing, it is highly infectious.”

As measles can’t be treated once you get it, the only way to prevent the disease is through immunisation.

Dr Richard Hoskins stresses the following public health advice to families:
• Check your children’s immunisations are up to date and take action if required (this information should be in your child’s Plunket/Well Child book – or alternatively contact your GP or practice nurse)
• Prompt identification can help limit the spread of measles to others, so if you or anyone in your care displays common symptoms such as a red rash, runny nose, cough, sore eyes or fever, seek medical help by contacting Healthline on 0800 611 116 or your local doctor – do this before visiting a doctor to minimise the spread of infection
• Avoid visiting households where there are suspected or confirmed measles cases
• If you are planning to travel abroad, strongly consider getting vaccinated against measles before you go, as measles is prevalent in many overseas countries.

ENDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Measles fact sheet
www.arphs.govt.nz/notifiable/measles.asp

Call Healthline for free health advice
Healthline (0800 611 116) is a free 24-Hour Telephone Health Information Service for all families. The service is staffed by registered nurses who will assess your health needs, and give information and advice to help you decide on the best level of care.

Interpreters
Healthline’s Language Line operates Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. When you call Healthline during these hours, the nurse or call handler can usually arrange for an interpreter. Outside these hours Healthline uses other interpreter services as far as possible. It is not always possible to locate an interpreter in a particular language at short notice.

Immunisation
For information on immunisation, please phone the Immunisation Advisory Centre free on 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863) or visit them at www.immune.org.nz

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