Measles & Rubella Statistics Weekly Update #9

Measles & Rubella Statistics Weekly Update #9

MEDIA UPDATE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday 6 September 2011
Measles Statistics Weekly Update #9

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service can confirm:

• 119 confirmed cases of measles in the Auckland region as of this morning
• 10 contacts are in quarantine
• Nine cases have required hospitalisation during this outbreak
• Most cases have occurred in West Auckland with some spread to Central Auckland, North Shore, and Manukau
• There have been seven cases of rubella notified in the region

The measles outbreak is now into its fourth month.

Rubella
Medical Officer of Health, Dr Richard Hoskins says, “Since early August we have been notified of seven rubella cases in the Auckland region, rubella may also be known as German measles. Rubella is a significant disease which can cause severe effects to the unborn child, the risk is highest in the first eight weeks of a woman’s pregnancy; these effects can include deafness, blindness, brain damage and heart defects.

“We recommend all pregnant women or those who intend to become pregnant check their immune status by calling their GP or Family Planning. The measles, mumps & rubella (MMR) vaccine is the only protection against rubella.

“Rubella symptoms can include a mild illness with a rash, fever and swollen glands in children and a rash, swollen glands and joint pain in teenagers and adults.

For further information about rubella visit
www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/immunisation-diseasesandvaccines-rubella

Measles
Medical Officer of Health Dr Richard Hoskins says “Currently five schools and pre-schools have been asked to advise parents to exclude their child if their child has not been fully immunised (two measles vaccines).

“To check if your child is up-to-date with their immunisations contact your GP. This information can also be found in your Well Child Health Book or if your child is under seven years old you can check the National Immunisation Register by calling:
• Waitemata DHB NIR (09) 838 1852
• Auckland DHB NIR (09) 638 0393 or (09) 638 0394
• Counties Manukau DHB NIR 0800 454 375
•
“Measles is highly infectious so please phone your doctor or GP first before going to the surgery; symptoms include fever, cough, blocked nose, sore red eyes. If you think you or anyone in your family might have measles, contact your doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116, for advice.” says Dr Hoskins

ENDS

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