Experts say New Zealand is at high risk of a measles epidemic, after a case was confirmed in Auckland, the most populous city.
Multiple contact points have been identified, and the vaccination rate is at 80 percent. Preventing a widespread outbreak needs a level of around 95 percent to achieve herd immunity.
That latest case was discovered on May 11 and is a worker on a busy ferry, meaning they come into close contact with hundreds of people every day.
They had recently returned from Asia and had visited a supermarket and a carpark before finding out they had the disease. Authorities say this person had not been infectious while flying home.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known, and about 90 percent of those who come into contact with it and are not immune are likely to be infected. The virus can live in the air long after the infected person has gone.
About 10 percent of people with the disease get so sick they need hospital treatment, and it can cause serious long-term health consequences or even death, particularly for young children.
rates of immunisation with traditional vaccines—such as the MMR shot for measles, mumps, and rubella—have sharply declined in New Zealand. The current levels are at their lowest in 15 years, particularly among Maori and Pasifika communities.
Health New Zealand’s latest statistics showed only about 44 percent of Māori and 49 percent of Pasifika were fully immunised at 18 months.
‘Like a Nightmare’: Paediatrician
Paediatrician Dr Owen Sinclair told RNZ that measles was nine times more infectious than COVID-19 and endangered anyone not immunised.
“From a medical perspective and from a paediatric perspective, this is like a nightmare,” he said.
“We really thought we’d got rid of it, but now it’s come back due to a number of reasons.”
Health NZ says people should watch for any symptoms that may suggest an infection, such as a rash, which will first appear on the face before spreading down, as well as a high fever, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes.
“Measles is a serious and highly infectious illness, which can affect adults as well as children and babies,” said Health NZ NPHS, Protection Clinical Director Dr Susan Jack.
“The MMR vaccine is the only thing that prevents measles.”
Health Minister Simeon Brown said the government was targeting getting 95 percent of children fully vaccinated by the time they were 24 months old.
Health NZ has published a list of possible points of contact and advice on what people should do if they feel they are at risk.