Wellington measles case possibly infected at Warbirds Over Wānaka or Ultra music festival

A new case of measles has been confirmed in Wellington, with the affected person visiting several locations across the region while infectious.

Health New Zealand said the case has not been linked to any previous infections or overseas travel, though the source of the infection is not yet known.

The National Public Health Service (NPHS) is supporting the person and their close contacts and identifying locations they visited while infectious.

The locations of interest:

• Te Iho at 1 Bowen St on April 15 from 11.17am to 12.37pm
• McDonalds Mana on April 15 from 7.30pm to 8.50pm
• Westpac Wellington Corporate Headquarters in Wellington Central on April 16 from 9.39am to 12.21pm
• Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre in Te Aro on April 17 from 3.37pm to 5pm
• RE Burger in Palmerston North Central on April 18 from 6.51pm to 7.56pm
• Mediterranean Foods Trattoria & Deli Newtown – kitchen staff and walk-ins on April 19 from 5.30pm–8.23pm

It is possible the person was exposed to measles at the Warbirds Over Wānaka airshow between April 3 and 5, or at the Ultra New Zealand music festival in Wellington on April 10, Health New Zealand said.

‘Highly infectious illness’ – national protection clinical director

National protection clinical director Dr Susan Jack said people should check if they visited the locations at the dates and times listed and follow advice provided.

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

“Measles is a serious and highly infectious illness, which can affect adults as well as children and babies.

“If you have symptoms of measles, please seek care and phone ahead before visiting your doctor or healthcare provider so they can take precautions to prevent measles spreading.”

Jack said the best protection against measles is “getting immunised with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine after the age of 12 months”.

The MMR vaccine is free in New Zealand for children under 18 and eligible adults.

If you develop symptoms stay at home and contact your healthcare provider, or call Healthline for free anytime on 0800 611 116.

Symptoms of measles:

• A runny nose, fever, cough, sore watery pink eyes (conjunctivitis) and a rash that develops a few days after fever. Fever of greater than 38C is still present at the time of rash onset.
• A rash, beginning on the face and gradually spreading down the body to the arms and legs. The rash lasts for up to one week.
• More information about measles from Health New Zealand is available here.