Measles Update
We appreciate your assistance with helping us update our records, by returning the forms that would have come home this week, and supplying your child's immunisation records where appropriate.
With a continuing wave of measles cases in the Auckland region, we would like you to be extra vigilant if your child (or you) become unwell. Measles is a serious viral infection. People are usually quite unwell, and some may even need to go to hospital. Measles spreads very easily from person to person.
While we do not have any known cases at Milford School at this time, there is a chance that some people have been exposed through their social networks.
We ask that you watch for signs of measles. It usually takes 10 to 14 days for someone who has caught measles to start showing symptoms. If your child develops a high fever, runny nose, cough, sore red eyes, or a rash see a doctor (call ahead to alert your doctor about the possibility of measles before visiting).
Keep your child at home if they are sick and watch out for:
Cough, Runny nose, Sore red eyes, Rash
Vaccination is the best protection. People who have been vaccinated with the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine normally have more than 95% protection against the disease. Currently in Auckland, MMR is given at 12 months and 4 years of age. The Auckland Regional Public Health Service strongly recommends your child gets an MMR to protect them from measles.
If there are any confirmed cases, unvaccinated children will be required to stay home until the quarrantine period is over. If your child has had at least one dose of measles vaccine (MMR), vaccination records should be in the Well Child (Plunket) book, or your family doctor may have records. Please ensure the school has a copy of your child’s vaccination record if you have not already.
For more information about measles, contact Healthline on 0800 611 116 or visit www.arphs.health.nz/measles