Measles cases in Bay of Plenty reach 12 sparking pleas for vaccination

Dr Phil Shoemack says there have been two more cases of measles in the Bay of Plenty. Photo /file

Another two cases of measles have been confirmed in the Bay of Plenty, bringing the total number of confirmed measles cases over the past month to 12.

Medical officer of health for Toi Te Ora Public Health Dr Phil Shoemack said of four of the sick were primary school-aged children while the other eight were young adults.

Three of the 12 had spent about a day in hospital.

Ten of the 12, who lived primarily in New Zealand, were unvaccinated and it was not known whether the two overseas visitors were vaccinated, Shoemack said.

The first of the new cases was known to have had contact with one of the previous local cases of measles "and he had been in quarantine expecting that he might become unwell".

"However, we haven't yet discovered if the second new case is linked to any of the others."

There were a few other possible cases but these were in the process of being confirmed or otherwise, he said.

People are advised to call ahead for advice if they think they might have measles.

"If you think you or someone in your family may have measles, stay at home and phone your doctor to alert them of your symptoms and allow them to make arrangements to assess you safely and without infecting other people, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice," Shoemack said.

Measles is a very infectious viral illness that spreads easily from person to person. It can be serious with about one in 10 people with measles needing hospital treatment.

Immunisation is very effective in preventing measles. The vaccine that protects against measles is the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.

"It's important that parents ensure that their children receive their free routine MMR immunisations on time at 15 months and 4 years of age," said Shoemack.

"If for any reason you have never had a dose of MMR vaccine now is the time to get one.

"After just one dose of MMR vaccine about 95 per cent of people will be protected from measles, and 99 per cent of people who have had both MMR doses will be protected from measles."

People born before January 1, 1969 are considered to be immune because measles used to be very common, and so this older age group does not need the measles immunisations.

It is particularly important to check your immunity if you are planning an overseas trip. The Ministry of Health recently highlighted that since 2012, all cases of measles in New Zealand came from travellers bringing the disease from overseas and that there are currently significant measles outbreaks in many countries.

For more information:

· Toi Te Ora Public Health website: www.toiteora.govt.nz/measles
· Immunisation Advisory Centre free phone: 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863)
· Immunisation Advisory Centre website: www.immune.org.nz
· Ministry of Health 2019 measles outbreak information: www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/measles/2019-measles-outbreak-information

· Ministry of Health website: www.health.govt.nz/measles
· Don't Assume You're Immune website: www.getimmunised.org.nz