KEY POINTS:
An international passenger arriving in Auckland was infected with measles, health officials have announced.
Measles is a highly infectious illness that can sometimes have serious consequences such as pneumonia and encephalitis - inflammation of the brain.
Due to immunisation it is rare in New Zealand.
The passenger was on an Air New Zealand flight from Brisbane and landed on November 28.
Dr Craig Thornley, medical officer of health, Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS), said: "Measles is a highly infectious disease that makes children, and sometimes adults, quite unwell for a week to ten days.
"Now, due to immunisation, measles infection is rare in Auckland but could spread rapidly in unimmunised groups".
Auckland Regional Public Health Service said anyone travelling on flight NZ734 on November 28 should immediately seek treatment from a doctor.
But anyone concerned should call ahead to alert the doctor about the possibility of measles before visiting the surgery to prevent infection to other patients.
They should also avoid contact with young children and alert their local public health service.
English measles (morbilli)
Initial fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes.
These symptoms usually last for a few days before a red blotchy rash appears.
People are infectious for 5 days before they develop the rash.
The rash starts on the face over 1-2 days and spreads down to the body. The rash will last for 4-7 days.
Almost all cases will make a complete recovery. Up to a third of children may develop complications such as middle ear infection and diarrhoea.
From being exposed to developing symptoms usually takes 8-12 days.
New Zealand children are immunised against measles at 15 months and four years of age.
More information is available at www.moh.govt.nz
- NZ HERALD STAFF
