National Public Health Service (NPHS) public health medicine specialist Dr Sharon Sime said there was the potential for additional cases.
Sime said the service was exploring the possibility of undetected community transmission.
Locations of interest the Nelson and Manawatū cases visited while infectious are being investigated, and will be published online here.
“These latest cases mean Aotearoa New Zealand is facing an escalating risk of measles outbreaks across the motu,” Sime said.
“That’s why it’s essential that people in these regions – particularly those who have visited any of the published locations of interest – remain vigilant for measles symptoms, and if they start to feel unwell, to stay home and seek healthcare advice.”
University of Auckland Associate Professor Helen Petousis-Harris said Health NZ are reacting appropriately to the risk of the disease spreading.
“We need to be on top of it very, very quickly to reduce the risk of ongoing transmission, because once that gets away, it becomes very, very difficult to control,” she said.
She said the potential for undetected community transmission was concerning but not surprising.
“Not everybody necessarily turns up, seeking healthcare. And, of course, some people get a lot sicker than others. So it might be that it could be flying under the radar.”
Petousis-Harris said the best course of action was to try to prevent the disease in the first place through vaccinations.
“It is potentially a very nasty disease and we can be reminded of that just a few years ago if you look back and see the impact of that epidemic in Samoa where they had a huge loss of life of young children,” Petousis-Harris said.
The recent Auckland case is linked to international travel.
Auckland City Hospital’s AED Triage and CDU on Friday, October 17, from 10.30am to 7.45pm, is a location of interest.
Measles symptoms
- An illness that begins with high fever (over 38C), cough, runny nose and sore red eyes (conjunctivitis)
- 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
- If symptoms develop, people should contact Healthline immediately on 0800 611 116 and stay home until they receive advice from public health services.
The MMR vaccine is free in New Zealand for anyone aged under 18, and for people over 18 who are eligible for free healthcare.
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