Measles outbreak hits Christchurch

A measles outbreak is on the rise in Christchurch with 15 people now confirmed to have the disease and another six likely to have it.

Four sick people had been hospitalised and later released, while the rest had been cared for and isolated at home, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Ramon Pink said.

The outbreak started after four teenagers at Christchurch Boys' High School were confirmed to have measles late last week.

All of the people affected, except one in their early 20s, were aged between 11 and 16 years old.

Twelve of them were from Christchurch Boy's High School with others from a variety of schools across the city.

Dr Pink said six of the people affected had been fully immunised, three had been partially immunised, and the rest had not been immunised.

"The fact that some of the young people with measles have been immunised is concerning and work is being done to identify the batch numbers of the vaccine given to them.

"We do not yet know why it has been ineffective but we will keep looking."

Anyone concerned their children are at risk should get them vaccinated against measles if they are not already fully immunised, Dr Pink said.

Measles is a highly infectious viral infection which can lead to ear infections, pneumonia and diarrhoea. In severe cases it can cause brain damage and occasionally death.

Symptoms include fever, red eyes, runny nose, spots on the inside of the mouth and a rash which appears a few days after the fever.

Anyone who thinks they have measles should call their doctor.

- NZPA