MIL OSI – Source: Waikato District Health Board – Press Release/Statement
Headline: No more measles cases in Hamilton
Waikato District Health Board’s public health unit Population Health has not received any further notifications of measles cases with the Hamilton area associated with Berkley School (see earlier release 12 May below).
Thanks to the hard work of the school community and primary care, the school was able to remove their quarantine restrictions last week as per their original letter.
There has been no further transmission within the school.
Population Health is required to wait for four weeks from last case before they are able to declare no further cases and close their investigations.
Population Health has circulated to all schools and early child care centres information regarding the signs and symptoms of measles, vaccination requirements and who would have to stay home from school etc. (quarantine restriction) if there was case at a school or early child care centre.
Public Health Units following up measles case
Thursday 28 May
Public health officers are tracing people who may have been exposed to the measles virus after a case has been identified in Manawatu.
The person was taking part in a charity firefighter tower climb at Auckland’s Sky City and stayed at the hotel over the weekend of May 22 to 24 while they were infectious.
The person later returned home to Palmerston North and developed measles symptoms. The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Don Mackie, says measles is a highly infectious and potentially serious disease.
Immunisation is however highly effective.
“As there were a large number number of people from many parts of the country who were potentially exposed during the weekend, public health units nationwide have been notified so they can take suitable steps.
If you are someone who thinks you might have been at risk of exposure, it’s important you contact your local public health unit,” says Dr Mackie.
“Public health officials are well versed in carrying out what is known as contact tracing, which involves reaching as many people as possible who could have been potentially exposed to measles.They can then be advised about what measures they need to take if they have, or develop measles-like symptoms.”
Dr Mackie says cases like these show how important it is for people to get immunised against measles, or to check their immunisation status if they are unsure. It usually takes 10-14 days for someone who has caught measles to start showing any symptoms.
Anyone who feels unwell should phone their GP or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice. It is important to call first before seeing a doctor because measles is highly infectious, and people with measles can infect others in the waiting room. Un-immunised people who have had contact with a person with measles, will normally be advised to stay at home and away from all public places, school or work for 14 days after their contact.
More information about measles
Measles is highly contagious – the virus from an infected person can stay in the air for up to an hour and infect people, therefore you can get infected without having been in direct contact with the case.
It affects both children and adults. However it is easily preventable through immunisation. 2 doses of the measles vaccine is all you need to protect yourself, your family and your community.
Vaccination is particularly important if you are planning to travel anywhere overseas – to protect yourself and to help prevent outbreaks in New Zealand. You can learn more about measles on the Ministry of Health’s measles page: www.health.govt.nz/measles
For more information, contact Kevin McCarthy, senior media advisor, Ministry of Health
Two measles cases confirmed in Hamilton
Tuesday 12 May, 2015
Waikato District Health Board’s public health unit has been notified of two cases of measles in the same family.
One student attends Hillcrest High School and the other Berkley Normal Middle School.
Dr Anita Bell
The Hillcrest High student was not thought to be infectious while at school and no quarantine measures were put in place apart from a letter to all parents informing them of the case and reminding them of signs and symptoms of measles.
Unfortunately the Berkley student was at school while infectious but with no symptoms of disease and thus Berkley School will put quarantine measures in place over the next couple of days.
This includes a letter to all parents informing them of the situation and advising that students need to be at home in quarantine until May 22 if they do not provide documentation of having two doses of MMR (measles) vaccine, said medical officer of health Dr Anita Bell.
“These are the same measures we had to put in place last year during the outbreak. We learnt very early that we had to be very strict with the quarantine and by being strict it will prevent further cases at the school.”
Information has been circulated regarding the cases to general practices and other health professionals etc.
“It’s a timely reminder to everyone else to check that they and their children are fully immunised against measles,” said Dr Bell
People who are regarded as not immune to measles are:
People younger than 45 years old (born after 01 January 1969) who have not had two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine or have not had a laboratory confirmed positive measles result
Children over four years old who have not received their second dose of MMR vaccine
Infants under the age of 15 months who have not received their first routine dose of MMR vaccine. They are susceptible and rely on everyone else to be immune so that measles does not spread to them
If a student has only had one MMR vaccine the can receive a second MMR vaccine and return to school (as long as the vaccines are given four weeks apart)
“Measles can be a very serious illness, with one in three sufferers experiencing complications such as ear infections, pneumonia, bronchitis or diarrhoea,” said Dr Bell.
“While one in 10 on average requires hospitalisation, admission rates in this outbreak have been higher.
“Last year there were 124 cases of measles in Hamilton associated with the outbreak.
Dr Bell said immunisation is the best protection from this potentially serious disease.
“Immunisation protects not only the individual, but also blocks the spread of this disease within our communities.
”Unimmunised people who have had contact with a person with measles, will normally be advised to stay at home and away from all public places, school or work for 14 days after their contact.”
Anyone born before 1969 or who has received two doses of MMR can reasonably assume they are already immune.
If families suspect someone has measles they should call their doctor, where possible, before visiting to avoid spreading the disease while waiting. Measles is spread by tiny droplets in the air and is one of the few diseases that can spread so easily to those nearby.
Dr Bell says anyone displaying symptoms of measles, which include fever, cough, blocked nose, sore red eyes, should immediately telephone their doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice.Visit www.waikatodhb.health.nz/measles for Waikato measles information.
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