Guidance following increased national risk of measles#
Health New Zealand is alerting early learning services to an escalating risk of measles as it responds to a measles outbreak following confirmation of 13 new cases of measles since 20 October.
This escalating risk is a concern, especially for education settings where measles can spread rapidly. In New Zealand our measles immunisation rates are too low to prevent outbreaks from happening when measles is circulating in our communities. Our low immunisation rates contribute to this lack of community protection.
Measles is highly contagious and serious. About 1 in 3 people may need hospital care. It spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.
Information to share with parents, caregivers and your communities#
- Measles is circulating and is very contagious. There is now measles in Northland, Auckland, Manawatu, Nelson and Wellington, and we expect further cases across New Zealand.
- Watch out for symptoms – fever, cough, runny nose, sore eyes, and a blotchy rash:
Symptoms of measles – Health New Zealand - Anyone with measles symptoms must stay at home and should seek urgent advice by ringing their doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116.
- Anyone who is closely exposed to a measles case must stay at home. Heath New Zealand will provide individuals with advice on a case-by-case basis (including when they can leave quarantine at home).
- Health New Zealand is actively working with the schools that currently have measles cases.
- People are considered immune to measles after having 2 doses of a measles vaccine from 12 months or older, or if you have had measles before. For more information on measles immunity visit:
Measles immunity – Health New Zealand
- Encourage families and whānau to check their own and their child/childrens’ immunisation status through My Health Record:
My Health Record – Health New Zealand
- Anyone born between 1969 and 2004 may have only received one vaccine dose and might not be fully protected. It’s safe to get extra doses. A free vaccine can be booked online or via the vaccination helpline on 0800 28 29 26.
Book my vaccine – Health New Zealand
Information for staff#
- Any staff who are identified as close contacts of a measles case will be supported by public health service teams on a case-by-case basis. Health New Zealand will advise when individuals can leave quarantine at home based on their immunity status.
- Public health teams must see evidence of a person’ immunity. Staff are encouraged to have their vaccination records easily accessible so they can be shared with public health teams if requested.
- Staff should check their measles immunisation records through either: My Health Record, their doctor, their Childhood My Health Book, laboratory results or any overseas immunisation records.
- People born in New Zealand before 1 January 1969 are considered immune.
- People born after 1 January 1969 must have received 2 measles vaccines after the age of 12 months to be fully protected (immune).
- Staff born between 1969 and 2004 should be aware they may not have received 2 measles vaccines even if they received all their childhood vaccines. This is because of changes to the recommended number of measles vaccines and the timing of vaccination over this time.
- People born overseas may not have records of vaccination and may have received their measles vaccination before the age of 12 months.
Where you could find evidence of your immunity – Health New Zealand
- For staff who are not immune or are not sure, let them know that Health New Zealand encourages them to book a free vaccine online or call the vaccination helpline on 0800 28 29 26. It is safe to have extra MMR vaccines even if you are immune.
Book My Vaccine – Health New Zealand
Prepare for possible measles cases#
- If you have a possible case in your education service, talk to your local Public Health Service straight away:
Contact public health services – Health New Zealand
You can also refer to the measles guide for education settings, which provides information on preparing for measles and the actions you can take to help stop it spreading in your facility.
- Isolate anyone with symptoms of measles until they can be collected and advise them to ring their doctor or Healthline for medical advice. Make sure only staff who are immune to measles have contact with anyone with measles symptoms.
Resources#
Measles: A guide for education settings – Health New Zealand
More information about confirmed cases and locations of interest#
Read the latest media release and additional news updates from Health New Zealand.
Measles outbreak update – Health New Zealand
Health New Zealand provides guidance for anyone who has been at a place, known as a location of interest, at the same time as a person who has been confirmed as having measles. Check the following website for up-to-date information about the current locations of interest and what to do if you are a close or casual contact.
Measles: Locations of interest in New Zealand – Health New Zealand
