Third confirmed case of measles in one week

Pbadengers on the plane who left Auckland last Sunday are warned that they may have been exposed to measles.

A person who flew on an Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to New Plymouth last Sunday was confirmed as having had measles.
Photo: AFP / nobeastsofierce / Science Photo Library

Measles spreads easily in the air by coughing and sneezing and can take up to two weeks before symptoms appear.

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service has announced that one person – who has since been confirmed as having measles – had taken an Air New Zealand flight NZ5307 from Auckland to New Plymouth. Sunday at 10:00.

Dr. Julia Peters, clinical director of the service, said anyone likely to be in the departure area of ​​the Auckland National Terminal, on the same flight or in the New Plymouth arrivals area that morning should watch for signs of measles.

According to Dr. Peters, these symptoms include high fever, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes.

People who have been exposed and who do not know if they are immunized and who have been to these areas or who are beginning to develop symptoms are asked to call their doctor or call Healthline.

One dose of the vaccine will prevent measles in 95% of people, while two doses will protect 99% of people.

This is the third case of measles confirmed this week, which concerns all pbadengers on the plane.

On Monday, pbadengers were warned to be wary of symptoms after an infected person visited Auckland and Wellington aboard a Jetstar flight – JQ263 – on July 1st.

Wellington Regional Public Health said the person also visited the Midnight Espresso coffee shop in central Wellington the next day between 4 and 9 pm

Last Tuesday, the Auckland Regional Public Health Service announced that a person with the contagious disease was on board the Emirates flight EK450 from Bali, which landed in Auckland at 4:20 am The 4th of July.

People sitting in economy clbad near the back of the plane and those arriving at the airport at about the same time may be in danger if they are not at the shelter , he added.

Facts about measles:

• Measles is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted through contact with respiratory secretions by coughing and sneezing.
• People are contagious from five days before the onset of rash to five days after the onset of rash.
• Infected persons must remain isolated – stay at home, at school or at work – during this period.
• The best protection against measles is to receive two MMR vaccines. MMR is available from your family practice and is free for eligible people.
• A person is considered immune if they have received two doses of MMR vaccine, if they have ever had measles disease or if they were born before 1969.
• People who think they have been exposed to measles or who have symptoms should not go to the emergency department or clinic after normal working hours or to the general practitioner. Instead, call the GP instead.