Health New Zealand has confirmed a new measles case in Tauranga which is likely linked to recent overseas travel.

The case is not connected to the recent national outbreak.

The National Public Health Service (NPHS) is supporting the person and their close contacts who are isolating to help prevent further spread.

Clinical Director Public Health Medicine Te Manawa Taki Dr William Rainger said the confirmed case had recently travelled from overseas where they are thought to have caught the virus, but were not infectious on their flight to New Zealand. Their early symptoms started on January 21.

“The person is working with us to identify help identify any locations of interest and anyone who may have been contacts during their infectious period in an effort to get on top of this as quickly as possible.”

Locations of Interest can be found here, with instructions for close or casual contacts. These include The General Cafe in Mt Maunganui and PAK’nSAVE Cameron Road in Tauranga, and will be updated if or when any further locations are identified.

Measles symptoms include:

-an illness that begins with high fever (over 38 C), cough, runny nose, and sore red eyes (conjunctivitis)

-a rash, beginning on the face and gradually spreading down the body to the arms and legs. The rash lasts for up to one week.

“Measles is a serious and highly infectious illness, which can affect adults as well as children and babies,” Dr Rainger said. “If you have symptoms of measles, please phone ahead before visiting your doctor or healthcare provider so they can take precautions to prevent measles spreading.

“Getting immunised with two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine (after the age of 12 months) is the best form of protection against measles.

“This latest case is a timely reminder for everyone to check if you and your whānau are immune to measles. It highlights New Zealand’s ongoing vulnerability to further outbreaks, especially related to overseas travel and our low immunisation rates.”

The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is very effective in preventing measles – and it is free in New Zealand for all children under 18, regardless of immigration status, and for adults 18 years old and over who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare, that includes all citizens and permanent residents.

-Information supplied by Health New Zealand.