Measles Outbreak in New Zealand

Auckland has reported an outbreak of measles that arrived with infected travelers on an Emirates flight from Brisbane nearly a month ago and is spreading very quickly. The nine passengers on the Emirates Flight of January 11th would have come into contact with many others and there is increasing alarm that the situation cannot be controlled with the disease spreading like wildfire. 300 persons have been already identified, who have come in contact with these passengers and 12 have tested positive for this highly infectious illness. Now, as these, without knowing about the danger, come into contact with yet others, there can be no immediate halt to the epidemic. Although, according to Public Health Director, Julia Peters, most cases are in West Auckland, there has been a report from Wellington too.

All it takes is a cough to do the mischief.  The symptoms are coughing, sneezing, fever, sore red eyes, white spots in the mouth.  Patients are infectious for one day before the symptoms become evident, and for five days after the rash starts.  Measles is highly infectious, and a check with the doctors is recommended, about immunization.



Source-Medindia