Measles has arrived in the North

An unimmunised Northland child was diagnosed with measles last week, after contact with children from the Waikato, where there has been a large and continuing outbreak of the illness.

Northland DHB Medical Officer of Health Dr Clair Mills said a Waikato family with confirmed measles, despite having been asked to self-isolate themselves, had recently visited people living in Northland.

"Measles is highly infectious, and if children are not immunised there is a very high chance they will get sick if exposed to someone with measles," she said.

"We are following up more than 120 children and adults who were in contact with this case, 40 per cent of whom are not fully immunised. Sadly, this is to be expected, given very low immunisation coverage in much of Northland over the last 30 years."

So far this year 265 confirmed measles cases had been reported from the Auckland region, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki and Wellington, with more than 100 cases in the recent outbreak at a high school in Hamilton.

Dr Mill said measles was spread by tiny droplets in the air, easily spreading to anyone in close proximity. The first symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes) could be mistaken for a cold, with the rash appearing on the face and neck, and spreading over the body three to five days later.

"Measles can be a very serious illness, with one in three sufferers experiencing complications such as ear infections, pneumonia, bronchitis or diarrhoea," she added. "While one in 10, on average, requires hospitalisation, admission rates in the Hamilton outbreak have been higher."

She reiterated that immunisation was the best protection from the potentially serious disease.

"This is an avoidable disease where there is an effective vaccine. Immunisation protects not only the individual, but also stops the spread of this disease within our communities," she said.

"Please double-check that your child is not at risk and catch up on any missed vaccinations. Vaccination is a much better option than having a very sick child at home for a couple of weeks." Dr Mills recommended that the first MMR vaccine be given at 12 months while measles was present in the community. A second MMR could be given a month later for maximal protection.

Unimmunised people who had had contact with a person with measles would normally be advised to stay at home and away from all public places, including school or work, for 14 days after their contact. Anyone born before 1969, or who had received two doses of the MMR vaccine, could reasonably assume they would be immune.

Anyone displaying the symptoms of measles was advised to telephone their doctor or Healthline (0800 611-116) without delay.