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Waikato measles outbreak declared over
Waikato measles outbreak declared over
Waikato has
not had a confirmed measles case since 12 August prompting
Waikato District Health Board’s medical officer of health
Dr Anita Bell to declare the outbreak over.
“I would like to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to all those who helped or were involved with the outbreak, this includes parents, students, schools and general practices.”
During the outbreak (27 May to 12 August 2014) the DHB’s public health unit Population Health was notified of 124 confirmed measles cases.
Almost half of the confirmed cases were household contacts of a confirmed case and were already placed in quarantine before they were unwell.
Approximately three quarters of the cases were aged between 10 to 20 years. Of the others, 20 per cent were aged under 10 years and five per cent over 30 years. Ten cases were hospitalised.
Of the 124 cases, the vast majority were unimmunised; only five were fully immunised with two doses of the MMR vaccine.
Approximately 110 cases with a clinical illness and rash similar to measles were investigated and were found not to have measles.
“We would like to take the opportunity to continue to encourage all to check their vaccination status and if not had two MMR vaccine to please get immunised.”
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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