Measles in air traveller triggers alert

14 December 2007

An international passenger arriving in Auckland aboard flight Air New Zealand, NZ734 from Brisbane on 28 November 2007 has been diagnosed with English measles (morbilli).

Dr Craig Thornley, medical officer of health, Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS), says “measles is a highly infectious disease that makes children, and sometimes adults, quite unwell for a week to ten days. Now, due to immunisation, measles infection is rare in Auckland but could spread rapidly in unimmunised groups”.

In the past, measles infection was very common in childhood. It is a highly infectious illness that can sometimes have serious consequences such as pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Typical symptoms of measles are initial fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes. These symptoms usually last for a few days before a red blotchy rash appears. People are infectious for 5 days before they develop the rash. The rash starts on the face over 1-2 days and spreads down to the body. The rash will last for 4-7 days. Almost all cases will make a complete recovery. Up to a third of children may develop complications such as middle ear infection and diarrhoea. From being exposed to developing symptoms usually takes 8-12 days. New Zealand children are immunised against measles at 15 months and four years of age. More information is available at http://www.moh.govt.nz/

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) advises anyone travelling on flight NZ734 and who has symptoms suggestive of measles should immediately seek advice from a doctor (call ahead to alert your doctor about the possibility of measles before visiting to allow them to make arrangements to assess you safely and without infecting others), avoid contact with young children and also alert their local public health service.

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Measles fact sheet

Media enquiries to:

Dr Craig Thornley
Medical Officer of Health
Auckland Regional Public Health Service
PH (09) 623 4600

Sally Young
Mobile: 021 938431
Sallyy@adhb.govt.nz
Telephone: 623 4600 ext. 27222