Measles outbreak in New Zealand nears 1400, Auckland sees encephalitis cases

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in New Zealand, country health officials report through Friday, 1384 confirmed cases of measles across the country, with 1151 of these confirmed cases in the Auckland region.

In Auckland, there have been at least three cases of measles encephalitis during this outbreak, according to a local media account.

Got Smallpox? merchandise

Measles is a virus that can make adults and children very sick. It is highly infectious and can spread quickly and easily through breathing, sneezing and coughing. If you are not immune to measles, you can catch the disease just by being in the same room as someone who has it.

Measles can lead to hospitalization, serious complications (such as pneumonia and encephalitis) or, in rare cases, death. It is especially dangerous for pregnant women who are not immune, babies and people with weakened immune systems.

Subscribe to Outbreak News TV

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, and then spreads to the rest of the body. You can have measles and spread it to others before you feel sick or show any symptoms.

The best protection against measles is to be vaccinated with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. One dose of MMR will protect around 95% of people, while two doses protect around 99% of people.

Measles and SSPE: Progressive, disabling, and fatal