A new measles case has been discovered in the Bay of Islands, Health NZ says.
The Northland case was notified to public health services on Thursday and was likely to be linked to overseas travel. They were no longer infectious.
National clinical director Dr Susan Jack said there were currently six other individuals associated with the case who were being assessed for measles infection.
“The six individuals being assessed were identified as part of initial contact tracing efforts. Public health is still identifying close contacts and possible exposure locations.”
Jack said Health NZ “strongly urged” people in the Bay of Islands area to watch for measles symptoms and to stay home and seek advice if they felt unwell.
“Measles is a serious and highly infectious illness which can affect adults as well as children and babies.”
Symptoms included an illness that begins with high fever (over 38C); cough; runny nose; sore red eyes (conjunctivitis); and a rash, lasting up to one week beginning on the face and gradually spreading down the body to the arms and legs.
Ngāti Hine Health Trust said it would be providing free measles vaccinations for whānau in the mid-north tomorrow following the confirmation of the new case.
The trust will open its Te Ara Tū o Ngāti Hine GP Clinic at Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa and its Whangārei clinic at the Ngāti Hine Health Trust office in Avenues from 10am to 2pm.
From Monday to Friday next week, vaccinations will also be available at the Te Ara Tū Clinic in Moerewa and the Ngāti Hine Health Trust offices in Kawakawa from 11am until 5pm.
“Ngāti Hine has always stood for the wellbeing of our people. Opening up these clinics is about ensuring that every whānau has access to immunisation services close to home. Mauri ora ki a tātou katoa – we encourage everyone to take this opportunity to protect themselves and their tamariki,” trust chief executive Tamati Shepherd-Wipiiti said.
