"The measles virus spreads easily from person to person through the air, via breathing, coughing and sneezing.
"It starts with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat. This is followed by a rash that spreads over the body."
Dr Humphrey said the infected man had taken all precautionary steps needed when he realised he had the symptoms.
"Once the case realised he could have measles he did all the right things. By isolating himself he has greatly reduced the likelihood of further spread, and possibly saved lives as well.
"The case is one of a relatively small number of people who for medical reasons aren't able to be vaccinated. Their protection relies on those of us who can get vaccinated to do so. The more people who get vaccinated, the safer everyone will be."
The infected man's travel history:
December 3-5: Comfort Hotel, Cuba St, Wellington. Man symptom free. Infectious period begins.
December 5: Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry. Sailed from Wellington at 8am.
December 5-7: Motueka Holiday Top 10 (private cabin). Shows first symptoms, December 7.
December 8-10: Lazy Shag Backpackers, Kaikoura. Isolated himself in a private room.
December 9: Visits doctor who notifies Canterbury DHB of suspected measles case.
December 10: Lab test confirms measles.
December 11: Travels by car to private residence outside Christchurch. Infectious period to end at midnight December 11.