Two cases of measles have now been confirmed in Dunedin. Measles is a highly infectious disease and can be very serious.

Symptoms include fever, cough, red eyes and a runny nose, and then a rash which develops after about four days. About one in ten people with measles need to be hospitalised and 30% will develop complications.

The best measles prevention is two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine which is free for all New Zealand children. Please check that your daughter’s immunisations are up-to-date. Adults born during or after 1969 should also make sure that they are fully vaccinated for measles.

If your child has measles they should stay away from school for five days from the appearance of their rash or until recovered, depending on the advice of the Medical Officer of Health.

Unimmunised children who have been in contact with a measles case during the infectious stages should not attend school. They may need isolation for up to 14 days after the last contact with the infectious person. This includes exposed children who have only had one MMR vaccination.

For further information on measles go the the Ministry of Health website http://www.moh.govt.nz or the Immunisation Advisory Centre website http://www.immune.org.nz. You can also call the Immunisation Advisory Centre on 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863) for advice.