Two more measles cases confirmed in Auckland

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Two further cases of measles have been confirmed in Auckland, health authorities said today.

Both cases were young infants and showed that measles was again present in the community, the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) said.

Early this month, the ARPHS reported the end of an outbreak in which 24 people were notified with measles since mid-January.

However, one new case was confirmed late last week involving a person believed to have caught the illness while on a trip to Melbourne.

Medical officer of health Cathy Pikholz said she was not surprised measles had reappeared, given its presence in other parts of New Zealand and the world.

Measles was serious and highly infectious, she said.

She urged people to be vigilant if they suspected they could have the disease or been exposed to it, and to remain in isolation to limit its spread.

Common symptoms included a red rash that started on the face and moved to the rest of the body, runny nose, coughing, sore eyes or fever.

The ARPHS said immunisation was the only effective way to protect against the measles.

- NZPA