Alarm raised over measles

With the school holidays and snow season looming, health officials are concerned an outbreak of measles will make its way to Wairarapa.

There is a worrying outbreak at several schools in Waikato, said Dr Annette Nesdale, Regional Public Health medical officer of health, in an alert sent to schools and early childhood centres around the Wellington region.

"We are concerned about the potential spread of measles with the July school holidays coming up. In the holidays people may travel to Auckland and Waikato or have children from these areas staying with them."

Dr Nesdale said four people had had measles in the Wellington region this year, the latest in March. There were currently no cases in Wairarapa but the viral disease spread easily through sneezing, coughing, or even breathing in the same room as an infected person. "Measles is likely to continue to spread in the North Island for many months."

In Waikato the disease had spread to 84 confirmed cases since May. Several schools were forced to cancel or postpone sports, cultural events, school trips and dances.

Since the start of the year 182 people had been infected nationwide, 33 of them ending up in hospital.

Demand for a free vaccine to combat the illness had jumped by 40 per cent in June alone.

Most at risk were babies under 15 months who had not had their first measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and children and teens aged 10-19.

Regional Public Health recommends immunisation and urges parents to check with their doctor whether their children are up to date with vaccines.