Infectious measles case travelled through Queenstown and Wanaka
A measles-infected person has been confirmed to have travelled through Queenstown and Wanaka while in the infectious period, including to Halo Cafe, Madam Woo and Wanaka New World.
The Southern DHB has issued the following alert with more details:
The person visited the following venues:
|
City/Town |
Venue |
Date |
Time |
|
Wanaka |
New World |
8 Sept |
Midday |
|
Queenstown |
Halo Cafe |
9 Sept |
Morning |
|
Bulls and Bangles |
|
|
|
|
Madame Woo |
|
Evening |
|
|
Dunedin
|
The Noodle Box |
11 Sept |
Evening |
|
Arana Residential College |
|||
|
Starfish Cafe |
12 Sept |
Morning |
|
|
New World City Centre |
Midday |
||
|
Hybrid Mines concert – Union Hall Otago University |
Evening |
||
|
Dunedin Social Club |
Late evening |
||
|
13 Sept
|
Early morning
|
||
|
Night and Day (Octagon) Arana Residential College |
|||
|
Hell Pizza (North Dunedin) |
Early afternoon |
||
|
Winton
|
Winton Pharmacy |
Evening
|
|
|
New World |
The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 23, with 22 being residents of Central Otago. To date there have been no confirmed measles cases from Dunedin or Southland.
Southern DHB’s Medical Officer of Health Dr Susan Jack is asking everyone to be alert for the symptoms and signs of the highly infectious illness.
“Measles usually starts with a runny nose, sore throat, red eyes and headache. Cough and fever develop and a blotchy rash appears on the face at around day four of the illness and spreads down the body.”
“If you develop these symptoms then you need to isolate yourself until you know for sure. Don’t go to the medical centre or emergency department unannounced but call ahead for advice or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.”
Currently there are limited vaccines available at general practices. The MMR vaccination priority is to ensure all children across NZ receive their vaccines on time at 15 months and 4 years to maintain the national childhood immunisation schedule.
The priority groups for vaccination are being reviewed regularly based first on priority children then on who it is most important to target in local cases.
There is a focus on tracing people who may have been in contact with a known case, and isolating them if they are unimmunised or under-immunised. It is important that those who have been asked to stay in isolation, do so for the recommended length of time to prevent possible spread. This is the best and most helpful action for the community at this stage.
The Immunisation Advisory Centre has provided up to date information about measles immunity and the MMR vaccine on their website: https://www.immune.org.nz/hot-topic/measles-overseas-and-new-zealand
For more information on measles please visit the Ministry of Health website.
TOP STORIES
