Auckland Airport measles alert: Infected traveller visited multiple Wellington locations including Parliament tour

The measles virus, the US CDC says measles is very contagious and can be serious, and anyone who is not protected against the virus is at risk. Photo / US CDC

Wellington’s Cable Car and a Parliament tour have been identified as locations of interest after an overseas traveller infected with measles visited them.

Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora said the person was infectious during their visit from February 23-27 and was confirmed as a measles case after they departed.

On Friday, Auckland Airport’s International Terminal was confirmed as a location of interest, with anyone at the terminal between 9pm on February 26 and 1am on February 27 considered a casual contact.

Health New Zealand has since confirmed several other locations of interest in Wellington.

New locations of interest include:

• February 23 - 7.30am to 8.30am - Train HVL Epuni to Upper Hutt
• February 23 - 9.30am to 1pm - Nga Manu Reserve, Waikanae
• February 23 - 12.15pm to 4.15pm - Adrenaline Forest, Porirua
• February 23 - 4pm to 5.30pm - Train HVL Upper Hutt to Epuni
• February 24 - 9am to 10am - Train HVL Epuni to Wellington Station
• February 24 - 3pm to 4pm - Train HVL Wellington Station to Epuni Station
• February 25 - 5.15pm to 8.30pm - Fraser Park Sportsville / Ricoh Sports Centre
• February 26 - 8.30am to 9.30am - Train HVL Epuni to Wellington Station
• February 26 - 12pm to 1.30pm - Cable Car, 280 Lambton Quay, Wellington
• February 26 - 1.30pm to 4.00pm - Parliament Tour (bespoke tour for educational group)
• February 26 - 4.10pm to 8.20pm - Wellington Airport Domestic Terminal
• February 26 - 8.30pm to 10.30pm - Auckland Airport Domestic Terminal
• February 26 - February 27 - 9pm to 1am - Auckland Airport International Terminal

Health NZ encouraged people to check their website for updates and follow the advice for close or casual contacts, and to monitor for symptoms of measles.

These include a runny nose, fever, cough, sore watery pink eyes, and a rash that develops a few days after the fever.

“The fever is still present and high (at least 38C) at the time the rash first appears,” Health NZ said.

Getting immunised with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine after the age of 12 months is the best form of protection against measles, according to the health agency.

“This latest case is a further reminder for everyone to check if you and your whānau are immune to measles,” Health NZ said.

“It highlights New Zealand’s ongoing vulnerability to further outbreaks, especially related to overseas travel and our low immunisation rates.”

It said MMR was safe and “very effective” in preventing measles.

It was free in New Zealand for all children aged under 18, regardless of immigration status, and for adults 18 and over who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare.

This included all citizens and permanent residents, Health NZ said.

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