New measles case linked to Wellington College, two main airports locations of interest

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

One new measles case has been confirmed today, linked to a Wellington College student who travelled through both Wellington and Auckland airports.

The number of known measles cases is now 19 nationally, with 18 of those no longer infectious.

Health NZ national clinical director Dr Susan Jack said contact tracing is underway.

“This latest case is connected to Wellington College and went on to travel internationally to Asia, where they remain.

“The person was a contact of a previous measles case and had followed public health advice by quarantining for 14 days and monitoring for symptoms for a further seven days, for a total of 21 days.”

There are several locations of interest connected to the case.

“The National Public Health Service is currently contact-tracing household contacts, people who took the same school bus and attended an exam at Wellington College, and people who were on the same flights during the person’s infectious period.

“In locations where we cannot directly trace all the people who were present, we have listed these on our Locations of interest page.”

Jack encouraged anyone who believes they may have been at any of the locations below to follow the instructions if they are a close or casual contact, and to monitor for symptoms of measles.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses. It spreads very easily from person to person.

Anyone who is feeling unwell is encouraged to stay home and seek health advice by calling Healthline for free anytime on 0800 611 116.

Locations of interest:

Monday, November 3 – Metlink school bus route #736 Karori Mall to Wellington College (7.30am-8.30am)

Monday, November 3 – Metlink public bus route #2 Wellington College to Karori (11.30am-12.40pm)

Tuesday, November 4 – Wellington Airport (11am-2pm)

Tuesday, November 4 – Auckland Airport domestic terminal (2pm-3pm)

Tuesday, November 4 – Auckland Airport international terminal (2pm-9.30pm)

Jaime Lyth is a multimedia journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on crime and breaking news. Lyth began working under the NZ Herald masthead in 2021 as a reporter for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei.