Advice around measles case

Advice around measles case

People who travelled on an international flight which landed in Auckland earlier this month are being advised that a child on the flight has since developed measles.

The 15 month old, from Taranaki, contracted measles while overseas and returned to New Zealand, via Auckland on November 2, 2014.

The child and parents travelled on the following flights; the child would have been infectious while on the flights.

1 November Sri Lankan Airlines (UL 124) – India to Sri Lanka.

2 November Sri Lankan Airlines (UL 318) – Sri Lanka to Malaysia.

2 November Malaysia Airlines (MH 133) – Malaysia to Auckland (arriving 2350)

It can take 10-14 days for someone who has caught measles to start showing any symptoms. Anyone on these flights who may have caught measles should be starting to feel unwell, if they’re not already, by November 16.

Any passengers from these flights who feel unwell should phone their GP or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice.

It is important to call first before seeing a doctor because measles is highly infectious, and people with measles can infect others in the waiting room.

Unimmunised people who have had contact with a person with measles, will normally be advised to stay at home and away from all public places, school or work for 14 days after their contact.

More information about measles

Measles is highly contagious – and easily preventable.

It affects both children and adults.

2 doses of the measles vaccine is all you need to protect yourself, your family and your community.

Vaccination is particularly important if you are planning to travel anywhere overseas – to protect yourself and to help prevent outbreaks in New Zealand.

You can learn more about measles at: www.health.govt.nz/measles

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