Canterbury measles free
New evidence indicates the two recent Canterbury measles cases were not actually measles.
Dr Alistair Humphrey, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, says a combination of factors have allowed health
authorities to declare Canterbury measles free.
“The initial lab tests were positive for measles and informed the decision of health staff to work with the families to
ensure the children were isolated throughout their infectious period.
“Further lab testing, combined with no identified source nor spread, other viruses known to be circulating which mimic
measles and the cases’ clinical picture, makes health authorities confident the cases were not measles.
“Laboratory tests are an important piece of the evidence, but even an accurate lab test has to be interpreted in
context.”
Dr Humphrey says health officials were right to act on the information provided.
“Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause, blindness, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), deafness
and pneumonia. If you don’t act quickly you run the risk of a widespread outbreak. It is important to treat positive lab
results as measles until evidence suggests otherwise.
“It is better to be safe than sorry with such a serious, contagious disease, though we acknowledge that a suspect
measles case can cause stress in the community – especially for parents of un-immunised children.
“The most important message is that measles is easily preventable by immunisation, which is free and safe. If a parent
fails to immunise their child it not only puts their own child at risk of serious illnesses, but also puts other
children in the community at risk.
“I am happy to say Canterbury remains measles free – let’s keep it that way,” Dr Humphrey says.
ENDS