Measles - Update from Nelson Marlborough District Health Board
As you will be aware there is a large measles outbreak currently affecting Auckland and likely to affect other parts of New Zealand.
Measles is a virus that can make both adults and children very sick. It is highly infectious and can spread quickly and easily through breathing, sneezing and coughing. If you are not immune to measles, you can catch the disease just by being in the same room as someone who has it.
Schools can help prevent the spread of measles by encouraging students and staff to get protected through immunisation. The MMR vaccine is free, safe and effective. If you have any questions about the vaccine, contact your GP, practice nurse or the Immunisation Advisory Centre on 0800 IMMUNE.
There is often considerable disruption for students and staff who are not immune, when a case of measles occurs in an educational setting. When non-immune children or staff are exposed they will need to stay away for up to 2 weeks from the date of last exposure. This helps to prevent spread to others.
Parents and staff should check that they (or their child) are immune. You are considered immune if you:
- Have received at least one MMR vaccination, and this has been documented
- OR have had a documented diagnosis of measles
- OR are over 5O years (because you are very likely to have had measles as a child).
- If you are under 5O years of age and have not yet had one MMR vaccination, or don't know, speak with your GP or practice nurse as soon as possible.
Immunisation is the best protection against the disease. For more information about measles including the symptoms to look out for see these webpages:
https://www.heaIth.govt.nz/your-heaIth/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-i11nesses/ measles