Information regarding Measles Outbreak March 2019

By Christine Gillard | Posted: Wednesday March 6, 2019

There is currently a measles outbreak in Christchurch affecting unimmunised or partially immunised infants, children and adults.

Measles is a highly infectious disease and is more serious than many people realise. Symptoms include fever, cough, red eyes and a runny nose, and then a rash which develops after about three days. About one in ten people with measles need to be hospitalised and 30% will develop complications.

The best measles prevention is two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine which is free for all New Zealand children.   

For more information about measles please see attachment.