Measles outbreak in Auckland: 115 confirmed cases



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Seven other Auckland men contracted measles over the weekend, bringing the total number of cases in the region to 115.

The Auckland Regional Health Service (ARPHS) announced the new cases on Monday afternoon.

The Auckland region is experiencing an epidemic of highly contagious and potentially deadly viral disease.

There have been 115 confirmed cases of measles in Auckland so far this year, public health authorities said Monday.

SETH WENIG / AP

There have been 115 confirmed cases of measles in Auckland so far this year, public health authorities said Monday.

The majority of cases have been observed in people from the west of Auckland.

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Last week, the ARPHS and the Ministry of Health announced that the age of vaccination would be advanced in the region, at 12 months.

The ARPHS also announced in an article published on the website of the Advisory Center for Immunity Protection that it would change its response within the next fifteen days, "as the search for contacts n & # 39; Does not stop the spread of the virus.

The most recent figures from ESR, the scientific agency responsible for tracking measles notifications, indicate that there were 195 cases nationwide as of 7 June.

Last week, the Auckland Regional Public Health Service announced that it was asking general practitioners to start vaccinating their children against MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) at 12 months rather than 15 months, in order to protect the most vulnerable.

Seth Wenig

Last week, the Auckland Regional Public Health Service announced that it was asking general practitioners to start vaccinating their children against MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) at 12 months rather than 15 months, in order to protect the most vulnerable.

About 1 in 10 people with measles usually require hospital treatment, but the ESR figures show that up to 43% of the cases registered so far this year have been hospitalized.

Thirty percent of cases will develop complications.

These include ear infections, which can cause permanent hearing loss, diarrhea, pneumonia, seizures and, in rare cases, swelling of the brain.

Fever, cough, runny nose and sore red eyes are the symptoms of measles.

After three to five days, a rash appears on the face before descending along the body.

Measles is almost completely preventable with two doses of MMR vaccine.

After one dose, 95% of people are protected against measles. After two doses, more than 99% are protected.

For more information, call Healthline at 0800 611 116 or visit the websites of the ARPHS or the Ministry of Health.

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