New Zealanders asked to be vigilant for measles symptoms - Expert Reaction

NZ health authorities have issued a nationwide alert following a confirmed case of measles this week.

The alert comes after a person with measles flew from Wellington to Auckland on Tuesday, 3 October, after attending a number of activities in the capital, including an event with a number of students who have since travelled to other parts of the country.

Te Whatu Ora is asking New Zealanders to be vigilant for symptoms, which include a fever, cough, runny nose, and sore and watery pink eyes. This is followed by a blotchy rash. Kiwis are also being asked to get vaccinated if they haven’t been already.

The SMC asked experts to comment. Feel free to use these comments in your reporting or follow up with the contact details provided:

Associate Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu, Immunologist, Associate Dean (Pacific), Head of University of Otago Wellington Pacific Office, and Associate Professor, Dean’s Department, University of Otago Wellington, comments:

"Te Whatu Ora is asking people to be on alert for measles, after an infected individual who lives in Northland travelled onboard a domestic flight from Wellington to Auckland (Jetstar JQ258) on Tuesday, 3 October. They had been attending activities for the National Shakespeare Schools Production at Scots College that involved students who then subsequently travelled to other areas in Aotearoa New Zealand.

"Given that measles remains a highly contagious illness for those who are not immune, Te Whatu Ora health officials have also instructed those people who were in attendance at the Scots College event isolate themselves until contacted by public health teams, while those who were on the Wellington to Auckland flight are advised to get vaccinated if not already immune. High risk individuals would be contacted sooner.

"In addition, the general public is being reminded at this time to stay vigilant and be on the lookout for measles symptoms and, importantly, to get vaccinated if not done so already or if unclear about their current immune status.

"Measles is a viral illness, caused by single-stranded RNA virus that is highly contagious and easily spread. For some, measles can also cause complications, serious life-threatening illness, and even death. An individual with measles can also very easily infect others around them through coughing, sneezing and breathing when in close proximity.

"A measles vaccine is readily available, and effectively prevents illness and stops its spread to other people. Measles symptoms include fever, cold-like symptoms, sore, red eyes followed by a blotchy rash.

"Those at the highest risk of becoming severely unwell include unvaccinated children and people with weakened immune systems. Someone who is unvaccinated and pregnant, then becomes infected with measles, will also have an increased risk of miscarriage and going into premature labour.

"Before a measles vaccine became available in 1963 and was widely used, measles epidemics would occur every few years resulting in millions of deaths.

"The measles outbreak that occurred in Aotearoa New Zealand (2019-2020) resulted in more than 2000 people infected, and according to the Ministry of health at the time, approximately 30% of those who were unwell ended up in hospital.

"According to the WHO, measles complications can occur most commonly in little ones, our children, tamariki and tamaiki aged five years and under, and in adults aged over 30 years.

"Measles can turn into a very serious illness for those who are at risk, and this current situation needs to be treated with the utmost seriousness given the risk resurgence in measles cases and a potential measles outbreak in Aotearoa New Zealand."

No conflicts of interest.