Auckland measles outbreak up to 40, Wellington reports 1st case

The number of measles cases in the New Zealand outbreak this year is now well over 100 and Auckland health officials are officially reported 40 confirmed cases as of today.

In Wellington, the Capital & Coast District Health Board (CCDHB) is reporting a case of measles has been confirmed at Wellington Regional Hospital in a teenager visiting the region.

In total, New Zealand has reported 111 measles cases thus far in 2019, including 14 cases in past week.

Of the total, 95 cases were unvaccinated, eight partially vaccinated and eight fully vaccinated.

Health officials remind the public that measles is very contagious. A person with measles is infectious from 5 days before and until 5 days after the rash appears (about 10 days in total). During this time the infected person needs to stay away from other people; children need to be kept home from school and adults from work, do not invite other children or visitors to your house.

Measles can cause serious complications including diarrhea, ear infections, pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). About 1 in 10 people with measles will need hospital treatment.

Vaccination with the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect against measles. You need 2 doses to be fully immunized.