Be vaccinated against measles before Rugby World Cup

Hunter New England Health is urging people travelling to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup or other travel purposes to ensure they are fully immunised against measles.

The warning comes after advice from New Zealand health authorities that there has been an ongoing outbreak of measles in the country.

The majority of confirmed cases have been infected in Auckland.

Hunter New England Population Health’s Public Health Physician Dr David Durrheim said measles is a very contagious disease and easily spread among unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people.

“Measles is a highly infectious virus that is spread through the air by someone who is unwell with the disease. Measles can be a severe disease and can cause serious ear infections, pneumonia and even inflammation of the brain,” Dr Durrheim said.

The good news is measles is preventable through vaccination.

Dr Durrheim said it was also important for people who are planning travel to New Zealand to make sure they have received two doses of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine at least one month apart, from their GP or at a travel health clinic.

“People travelling to New Zealand should ensure that they and their children are fully vaccinated.”

“The free Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine is very safe and effective. It is recommended that children have the vaccine at 12 months and again at four years of age. Two doses of the vaccine are required for lifelong protection,” Dr Durrheim said.

Children and adults born during or since 1966 who do not have documented evidence of receiving two doses of MMR vaccine or evidence of measles infection are considered to be highly susceptible to measles.

“Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red, sore eyes,” Dr Durrheim said.

“A blotchy red rash develops after two to four days of symptoms, often starting on the face and spreading over the body.”

More information can be found at:

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/infectious/measles.html

Contact: Abbey Wright

Phone: (02) 4921 4477