Public Health issues measles warning

New 11:17AM Saturday Feb 07, 2009

Patients at a Wellington medical centre and passengers on several international and domestic flights may have been exposed to highly infectious English measles.

Wellington Regional Medical Officer of Health Annette Nesdale issued a warning today after a child who returned from Vietnam on January 29 was diagnosed with the disease.

Dr Nesdale said people who came in contact with the child needed to watch for symptoms including fever, tiredness, runny nose, coughing, and sore red eyes.

"Measles is a highly infectious disease that makes children, and sometimes adults, quite unwell for a week to ten days," she said.

Measles was rare in New Zealand due to immunisation but the disease could spread rapidly among unimmunised groups, she said.

"We are really wanting to get this information out to people over the long weekend as if they develop symptoms it is important they get medical advice to ensure they don't inadvertently spread measles further."

The child flew from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to Singapore via Singapore Airlines on January 29.

The child was also seen at the Wellington Hospital Emergency Department on the afternoon of February 1 and the morning of February 3 and at the Karori Medical Centre on February 2, 3 and 4.

Those waiting for blood tests at the medical centre may also have been exposed.

Dr Nesdale said anyone with symptoms should seek immediate medical advice but should also call ahead to warn doctors about the possibility of measles.

People born before 1969 were considered protected as the infection was common prior to that date.

People born after 1989 would be protected if they were vaccinated.

- NZPA