Published Monday 23 Sep 2019

RPH is asking passengers on the following train and/or bus on Monday 16 September to be aware of the symptoms of measles.

8.02am train from Waterloo to Wellington

Number 3 bus – 8.35am Wellington Railway Station to Wellington High School (Taranaki Street Stop)

Regional Public Health (RPH) is asking passengers on the trains or buses, to be aware of the symptoms of measles.

A passenger caught these services while infectious, before they knew they had measles.

RPH Medical Officer of Health, Dr Annette Nesdale, says fellow passengers, plus anyone who was at these locations should watch for signs of measles.

Symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes. A few days later a rash starts on the face and neck, before spreading to the rest of the body.

"You are most at risk if you’re not immune to measles, either because you haven’t been vaccinated or you haven’t had the disease previously. People who are not immune may start experiencing symptoms over the next week (Monday 23 – Monday 30 September inclusive)," Dr Nesdale says.

Anyone over the age of 50 years is considered immune as they would have been exposed to the virus as a child. Other people can check their Well Child or Plunket book for at least one measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination.

Anyone who was at the above locations at the specified times, who feels unwell, should phone their doctor or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice.

Measles is a highly infectious airborne disease that spreads easily through the air via coughing and sneezing.

If you do start to develop symptoms that could be measles, also contact your doctor. Be sure to call ahead to prevent potentially infecting others in the waiting room.

Vaccination with the MMR offers the best protection against measles. One dose will prevent measles in 95 per cent of people, while having two doses will protect 99 per cent of people who have the vaccine.

For more information about measles, visit the Regional Public Health website (http://www.rph.org.nz/measles/) and the Ministry of Health website (www.health.govt.nz/measles).

ENDS

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