Child vaccination urged following local rubella scare

A suspected case of rubella in the region has turned out to be a false alarm - but a local health expert says it serves as a timely reminder for parents to make sure their children are immunised.

Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service Medical Officer of Health Neil de Wet said there had been a suspected case of rubella in Rotorua but further tests showed it wasn't the disease.

"There are no confirmed cases in the area."

Rubella is a viral disease which causes a rash and swollen glands. It can cause severe damage in unborn babies if a pregnant mother contracts it.

Dr de Wet said sometimes viral illnesses had rashes that were similar to rubella, and often the GP would do testing which he thought was what happened in this case.

He said it was a good reminder for parents to check their children were up to date with vaccinations, especially given there had been recent measles outbreaks around the country including in the Waikato.

Both measles and rubella are vaccinated against as part of the childhood vaccination programme, with vaccination given at 15 months and 4-years-old.

"It's always a good reminder to check their immunisations are up to date."

He said immunisation was important because there were people in the community, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, who couldn't be vaccinated and were particularly vulnerable.