Four new measles cases in Tairawhiti

5 December 2011

Doctors say Tairawhiti is in the second wave of a measles outbreak after four new probable cases were identified over the weekend.

TDH Medical Officer of Health, Dr Geoffrey Cramp, said immediate immunisation was still the best action for people wanting to avoid the serious illness.

“It is not too late to get yourselves and your children immunised,” said Dr Cramp. “You need to do it now, or you will get measles if you are not immune.”

Two small children from the Coast and two teenagers in Gisborne both presented with measles-like symptoms over the weekend. Test results due later this week are “very probable” to confirm the measles diagnosis. The four new cases come less than a fortnight after a boy at Gisborne Intermediate and a boy at Campion College were confirmed as having measles.

“Between them, these four new cases have been in contact with hundreds of people,” said Dr Cramp.

“They have had opportunity to spread measles throughout the district. Those most at risk are non-immunised people, babies, pregnant mothers and those with weakened immune systems. I cannot stress enough the importance of immediate immunisation.”

Tairawhiti District Health has established an Emergency Operations Centre to manage the situation and to make sure that those most at risk are protected. TDH will also ensure unimmunised people who have had contact with these cases stay away from work or school.

Dr Cramp again advised people showing symptoms of measles to phone their doctors prior to arrival, so arrangements could be made for them to be put into an isolated room. “This is very important - the sick person needs to stay outside the clinic, until staff are ready to take them to the isolated area. We all need to take responsibility to limit the spread of this horrible disease.

“We all need to protect our community. If you are unwell and think that you have the measles phone your GP, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice from a registered nurse. It is very important that you stay away from school and stay away from work.”

Visiting at Gisborne Hospital has been limited to prevent further spreading of measles.

Additional information about measles is available on the TDH website www.tdh.org.nz

For more information on immunisation, call Immunisation Advisory Centre on 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863) or go to www.immune.org.nz

ENDS

BACKGROUND

Measles is a serious and highly infectious viral disease that can lead to hospitalisation, serious complications or, in rare cases, death. Early symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes and white spots inside the mouth. After three to five days a rash appears on the face and then moves down the body.  About one in 10 cases of measles need to be admitted to hospital because of complications. In one in every 1000 cases the patient can die.

For more information contact Tairawhiti District Health:

Dr Geoff Cramp                                                                        Kathy McVey

Medical Officer of health                                                            Communications Manager

06 869-0500                                                                              021 223-7094