Waikato DHB says getting up to date with the two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is still the best way to combat measles. Photo / Getty Images
Waikato DHB says getting up to date with the two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is still the best way to combat measles. Photo / Getty Images
A measles outbreak in the Waikato region has been declared over today.
The area has not had a confirmed case of the disease since August 12, a statement from the Waikato District Health Board medical officer of health Dr Anita Bell said.
More than 120 cases of measles were confirmedduring the outbreak, between May 27 and August 12.
Approximately three-quarters of the cases were in young people aged between 10 to 20 years' old, Dr Bell said.
Of the others, 20 per cent were aged under 10 and 5 per cent were over 30.
The vast majority had not been immunised against measles, Dr Bell said, and only five were fully immunised with two doses of the MMR vaccine.
"I would like to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to all those who helped or were involved with the outbreak, this includes parents, students, schools and general practices," she said.
"We would like to take the opportunity to continue to encourage all to check their vaccination status and, if you have not had two MMR vaccines, to please get immunised."
A further 110 people who had symptoms and a rash similar to measles were found not to have the disease.
