People who visited Skycity Casino or Sugar Tree apartments during the specified dates and times in February may have contracted measles.

A person may have spread measles in Auckland after they ignored their quarantine instructions.

Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) has confirmed a measles alert for Sky City Casino and Sugar Tree apartments after a carrier of the disease ignored medical instructions to go into quarantine.

People who visited the two locations at certain times were likely exposed to measles and might need to quarantine themselves, ARPHS says.

SUPPLIED A red, blotchy rash is one of the symptoms of measles.

Medical officer of health Dr Richard Hoskins said the measles carrier had put the health of the public at risk when they ignored their quarantine instructions.

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"There are many people who could potentially be exposed to measles and they will need to take immediate action if they suspect they are not immune to this disease," he said.

The places and times where Aucklanders could have caught measles are:

1. Levels 2, 3 and the public areas of Sky City Casino between 9.45pm and 12am on February 9.

2. The lifts and common areas of Sugar Tree apartments on February 9 to 13.

People who visited Skycity Casino or Sugar Tree apartments during the specified dates and times will need to go into quarantine from 17-27 February if they are not immune to measles, or if they are unsure about their measles immunity and haven't had a blood test to check it.

The person contracted measles when they were seated two rows behind an infected passenger on China Southern Airlines flight CZ305 which arrived at Auckland airport on January 30.

This is the second case of measles from that flight.

Hoskins said ARPHS had no clues the carrier would leave their quarantine.

"We had no indication this person was going to be non-compliant with our instructions. When we became aware of the situation it was too late. The risk to other people's health and the cost to the public health system is significant and avoidable" he said.

If people are infected they will likely experience symptoms from February 17 onwards. The first symptoms are a fever, and one or more of a runny nose, cough and sore red eyes. After a few days a red blotchy rash starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

The illness is infectious before the rash appears and is easily transmitted. If you are not immune you can contract the disease by walking past an infected person or by standing or sitting next to them in a lift, café or waiting room.

Measles is a serious illness and up to one in 10 people with the disease need hospital treatment.

However, many New Zealanders are immune to measles because they have had the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination.

"People who are feeling unwell and have visited these locations at the times suggested should immediately telephone their doctor or Healthline on 0800-611-116 for advice. It is very important to phone in advance because measles is highly infectious and you could infect other people in the medical waiting room," Hoskins said.

"My plea is that people follow medical instructions when they have been exposed to measles. For everyone else it's a timely reminder to check their immunisations are up-to-date. Measles cannot be treated once you get it so the only way to protect yourself is to be fully vaccinated."