Two Hamilton schoolkids diagnosed with measles

Waikato District Health Board's public health unit was notified of the two cases of measles in the same family. Photo / Thinkstock

The Waikato District Health Board is dealing with a measles outbreak that's affected two members of the same family - who attend two different Hamilton schools.

One student attends Hillcrest High School and the other Berkley Normal Middle School.

Dr Anita Bell, Waikato DHB's medical officer of health, said the Hillcrest High student was not thought to be infectious while at school and no quarantine measures were put in place apart from a letter to all parents informing them of the case and reminding them of signs and symptoms of measles.

However, the Berkley student was at school while infectious but with no symptoms of disease and thus Berkley School will put quarantine measures in place over the next couple of days.

The cases have the Waikato DHB on high alert after an outbreak in Hamilton last year which saw 124 infected with the disease.

Parents had been informed of the situation and advised that students needed to be quarantined at home until May 22 if they did not provide documentation of having two doses of MMR (measles) vaccine.

"These are the same measures we had to put in place last year during the outbreak. We learnt very early that we had to be very strict with the quarantine and by being strict it will prevent further cases at the school."

Information had been circulated regarding the cases to general practices and other health professionals.

"It's a timely reminder to everyone else to check that they and their children are fully immunised against measles," said Dr Bell

People who are regarded as not immune to measles are:

* People younger than 45 years old (born after 01 January 1969) who have not had two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine or have not had a laboratory confirmed positive measles result:

* Children over four years old who have not received their second dose of MMR vaccine

*Infants under the age of 15 months who have not received their first routine dose of MMR vaccine. They are susceptible and rely on everyone else to be immune so that measles does not spread to them

If a student has only had one MMR vaccine the can receive a second MMR vaccine and return to school (as long as the vaccines are given four weeks apart)

"Measles can be a very serious illness, with one in three sufferers experiencing complications such as ear infections, pneumonia, bronchitis or diarrhoea," said Dr Bell.

While one in 10 on average requires hospitalisation, admission rates in this outbreak had been higher.

Dr Bell said immunisation was the best protection from this potentially serious disease.

"Immunisation protects not only the individual, but also blocks the spread of this disease within our communities.

"Unimmunised people who have had contact with a person with measles, will normally be advised to stay at home and away from all public places, school or work for 14 days after their contact."

Anyone born before 1969 or who has received two doses of MMR can reasonably assume they are already immune.

If families suspect someone has measles they should call their doctor, where possible, before visiting to avoid spreading the disease while waiting. Measles is spread by tiny droplets in the air and is one of the few diseases that can spread so easily to those nearby.

Dr Bell says anyone displaying symptoms of measles, which include fever, cough, blocked nose, sore red eyes, should immediately telephone their doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice.Visit www.waikatodhb.health.nz/measles for Waikato measles information.