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Information regarding Measles Outbreak March 2019

Jo Earl —

There is currently a measles outbreak in Christchurch affecting unimmunised or partially immunised infants, children and adults.

Measles is a highly infectious disease and is more serious than many people realise. Symptoms include fever, cough, red eyes and a runny nose, and then a rash which develops after about 3 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.

Information about Measles

For further health information on measles please go to the Ministry of Health website http://www.moh.govt.nzor the Immunisation Advisory Centre website http://www.immune.org.nzYou can also call the Immunisation Advisory Centre toll-free line 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863) for advice.