Measles Concerns?

September 5, 2019

Measles – information from the Ministry of Health

This serious and very infectious disease has been in the news because it is circulating in New Zealand, particularly in the Auckland region.
If you’re feeling sick, you should stay away from work, school or public places, to help prevent putting other people at risk.
If you or a family member suspect you have measles you should stay at home and call Healthline on 0800 611 116 or your doctor to alert them of your symptoms.

If you have measles it is very important to avoid spreading it to others in waiting rooms or public places.

The best protection against measles is the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine which is free for all children and any adults under 50 years of age who have not previously received two doses.
People aged 50 years and over are considered immune as measles used to be very common, so won’t need the measles immunisations.
When you are immunised you’re also protecting the people around you, including those who can’t be immunised themselves.

If you have been exposed to someone who has measles and you are not immune or vaccinated:

You need to stay away from places with other people for 14 days after you were last exposed to a case so you don’t infect others
Contact us at Dunedin North Medical Centre and arrange to have the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.

First symptoms of measles:

a persistent high fever
a cough
a runny nose
sore and watery “pink” eyes
sometimes small white spots on the back inner cheek of your mouth.

Day 3 – 7 of illness:

A blotchy rash which tends to start on your face, behind the ears, before moving over your head and down your body. The rash lasts for a week.

More information at: Measles – Ministry of Health