Canterbury measles outbreak widens

The number of measles infections in Canterbury schools continues to mount and is now hitting younger children, say health officials.

Twenty six of the 45 suspected cases have now been confirmed as measles, said Canterbury medical officer of health Cheryl Brunton.

Sixteen of the cases were from Christchurch Boys' High School and there were now confirmed or suspected cases from another seven high schools, two intermediate schools, four primary schools and six early childhood centres.

The outbreak began in Christchurch in early June and five children have been hospitalised, although they had all now recovered or were recovering at home.

"Most of the children with measles are still aged between 11-16 years old but we are now seeing an increase in the number of younger children with measles, including children under a year old," Dr Brunton said.

Unimmunised children were at high risk of getting measles when there was a local outbreak of the disease.

Children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccination, at 15 months and four years of age. However, children who miss one of their vaccinations at the required time were able to get free "catch up" doses, she said.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can spread from person to person through the air by breathing, coughing and sneezing.

It can cause a rash, high fever, a runny nose and sore, watery eyes. It can lead to pneumonia, ear infections, brain damage and can occasionally be fatal.

Health officials were investigating a possible historic failure of the measles vaccine, after some of those who caught the virus had been given one or two immunisation jabs.

- NZPA