Measles causes fever and rash and in severe cases can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. Photo / Thinkstock
Measles causes fever and rash and in severe cases can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. Photo / Thinkstock
A Christchurch child has been diagnosed with measles, prompting the Canterbury District Health Board to urge parents to immunise their children.
The child had been given a first dose of measles vaccine but had not yet had a second dose, due at four years of age.
Dr Daniel Williams, CanterburyMedical Officer of Health, said advice had been given to parents at the two preschools the child attends.
"The advice urges parents who have not immunised their children to do so. People who choose not to vaccinate their children against infectious diseases are putting not only their own children at risk, but also other people's children," he said.
Dr Williams said the fact the child received one dose of vaccine has helped reduce the severity of symptoms to just a mild illness.
He said the measles vaccine is highly effective, but no vaccine is 100 per cent effective all the time.
Measles starts with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat. It's followed by a rash that spreads over the body. Measles virus is highly contagious and spreads through the air through coughing and sneezing.
