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NZ: 2019/2020 Measles

Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12259721

Measles outbreak worse than 2011 as cases jump by a third in 10 days
20 Aug, 2019 5:00am
NZ Herald
By: Dubby Henry and Ben Leahy

There has been a big spike in Auckland's measles outbreak, with 126 new cases in the last eight days.

The big rise in infections takes the year's total to 509 and made last week the worst since the outbreak started.

The majority of Auckland cases - 288, or 57 per cent - have been in South Auckland, putting huge strain on Middlemore Hospital, which has opened a dedicated measles ward...
 
Source: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new...rease-cases-prompts-warnings-looming-epidemic

Auckland hospital sets up measles ward as rapid increase of cases prompts warnings of looming epidemic
4:47pm
1 NEWS

The number of measles cases is rapidly increasing in Auckland, prompting warnings from health experts of a looming epidemic.

At Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland, the pressure is so immense that it has prompted the creation of a dedicated measles ward to cope with the influx.

It comes after a health warning was issued by a Les Mills gym in New Lynn last night after a person who attended a class there was later diagnosed with measles.

The latest tally of confirmed cases in the city is 546. Nationally, the number is 639 ? the highest number since a massive outbreak occurred in 1997.

"We've had up to 400 cases across Counties Manukau of the measles, and about 40 per cent of those have presented to Middlemore Hospital," emergency department clinical director Dr Vanessa Thornton told TVNZ1's Breakfast today...
 
Source: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/he...ak-more-than-100-confirmed-cases-in-five-days

Auckland measles outbreak: More than 100 confirmed cases in five days
Danielle Clent12:07, Aug 23 2019

More than 100 measles cases have been confirmed in Auckland in the past five days.

Auckland Regional Public Health said on Friday there had been 616 cases in the region this year - up 109 cases since Monday - with the majority in the Counties Manukau area.

Auckland has been dealing with an outbreak of the highly infectious illness, and the country as a whole is experiencing the worst outbreak of measles in a decade...
 
Source: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/11...-centre-in-struck-by-measles--delays-expected


NZ Post national contact centre in struck by measles - delays expected
Anuja Nadkarni13:55, Aug 27 2019

New Zealand Post's national contact centre in Auckland is running on reduced staff as it deals with a case of measles.

In a message to customers NZ Post warned there would be delays in responses to email, web and social enquiries due to the incident.

A spokeswoman said one case of measles had been confirmed at the centre at 18 Pukekiwiriki​ Place, Highbrook office in East Tamaki...

...The spokeswoman said anyone who visited the office building on or after August 17 and was considered to be at risk...

...On Monday the Ministry of Health public health director Dr Caroline McElnay said the health authority was "extremely concerned" by Auckland's rapidly climbing measles rate.

Data released by ESR on Monday show there have now been 773 cases across the country so far this year.

Of the 773 cases across the country so far this year, 91.7 per cent were in people who were not vaccinated or did not know their vaccination status...
 
Source: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/poli...n-centre-activated-over-measles-outbreak.html




'This is serious': National Health Coordination Centre activated over measles outbreak
30/08/2019
Zane Small
Jenna Lynch

The Ministry of Health has activated the National Health Coordination Centre to direct the response to the highly contagious measles outbreak in Auckland.

Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter said the ministry will prioritise the "serious" outbreak, with the coordination centre set to monitor the situation in the rest of New Zealand.

The centre is activated when there are "significant events happening in the health sector", director of public health, Caroline McElnay, said on Friday.

The centre was last activated following the Kaikōura earthquake, that struck in 2016.

She said the centre will provide a "single point of contact" in Wellington for district health boards (DHBs) to "get a better picture of what's happening".

Genter said despite an additional 57,000 MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccines administered in the last six months, the measles outbreak has worsened.

"As of earlier today, there have been 762 confirmed cases of measles in the Auckland region," the minister, also a Green MP, said at a press conference," Genter said.

In addition to the 731 confirmed cases of the infection this year, three cases have been confirmed in Waikato, and there have been cases in Taranaki and Queenstown.

"I want to reassure the public that coordinating the response to the measles outbreak will be a top priority for the Ministry of Health in the coming days."...
 
Source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/397855/19-more-people-have-become-sick-with-measles



19 more people have become sick with measles
5:47 pm on 31 August 2019

Auckland Regional Public Health Service held a news conference this afternoon to address the outbreak, announcing that 19 new cases of the disease had been recorded. Measles has been increasing by about that number each day.

The number of measles cases in Auckland is now up to 778 from 759 yesterday. There have been 937 reported nationwide.

Worst affected have been children younger than five and those aged between 15 and 29.

Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) medical officer William Rainger said New Zealand had now lost herd immunity against measles.

"The incline of the epidemic curve is still steeply upwards.

"We haven't seen any sign of plateau at this stage. When we reach the peak we can't predict."

He said although it was not the worst outbreak of measles in New Zealand - there was a 1997 epidemic that reached into the thousands - it had "truly exceeded the most recent significant event" of 2014...
 
Source: https://newsie.co.nz/news/161171-auc...confirmed.html

Auckland measles outbreak not yet at peak as 800 cases confirmed
7:30am Tuesday 03 Sep, 2019 | By Amy Williams


More than 800 people in Auckland have now caught the measles, with more than 50 schools and a similar number of childcare centres experiencing cases this year.

The Auckland Regional Public Health service said as of this afternoon there have been 804 cases, up from 778 on Saturday.

More than two thirds of Auckland's infections have been in Counties Manukau. Nationally there have been 963 cases, with over a third of those being hospitalised.

But, health authorities are warning the measles outbreak in Auckland has not yet reached its peak and they expect cases to continue to climb in the coming weeks.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield attended the Prime Minister's post-cabinet press conference today.

He said Auckland's measles outbreak was expected to peak...

***************************************************************************

Source: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-...-watch-after-visit-from-infected-student.html


Waikato University on measles watch after visit from infected student
2 hours ago
Katie Fitzgerald

Waikato University is on alert for measles after a student visited the campus while infected with the highly contagious disease.

The part-time student contracted the disease from a family member and visited the main campus during the mid-semester break...
 
Source: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-...-case-of-measles-confirmed-in-queenstown.html


Fourth case of measles confirmed in Queenstown
3 hours ago
Vita Molyneux
Simon Wong

Queenstown residents are being warned they could have been exposed to measles.

A fourth case of measles in Queenstown has been confirmed, and there are concerns others could have been infected.

The Southern DHB says an infected resident was at multiple locations between August 28 and September 1, including the Remarkables Ski Field.

It is urging the public to check their immunity to measles.

As of September 3, there have been 975 confirmed diagnoses of measles in New Zealand in 2019. More than 800 of those are in the Auckland region.

Health officials are warning the outbreak could kill. More than one-third of people who have been diagnosed have been hospitalised...
 
Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12264491

Case of measles reported on flight between Auckland and Sydney
3 Sep, 2019 3:34pm
2 minutes to read

Another case of measles has been reported on an international flight between Auckland and Sydney late last month.

The person departed Auckland on Air New Zealand Flight NZ711 just before 8pm on Friday, August 23.

They then returned from Sydney on Flight NZ108, which departed at around 7.50pm on Sunday, August 25 and landed in New Zealand at 12.15am on Monday, August 26.

The person reportedly did not know they had measles at the time...
 
Auckland measles outbreak: At least three cases of measles encephalitis

Mandy Te
12:10, Sep 19 2019
...
One person who has measles encephalitis is understood to be a 45-year-old man who is currently in Auckland City Hospital.
...
On Facebook, the man's wife said her husband believed he was immunised but had contracted measles more than a week ago.
...
A spokeswoman for Auckland's three metro district health boards (DHBS) - Waitematā, Auckland and Counties Manukau - said for privacy reasons it could not provide details of the care or condition of individuals.

However this was not the first case of encephalitis it had seen during the outbreak, she said.

"I understand we have seen at least three cases," the spokeswoman said.

As of Tuesday, there have been 1327 confirmed cases of measles and 1108 of those had been from Auckland.
....

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/he...-at-least-three-cases-of-measles-encephalitis
 
Report investigates high hospitalisation rates for measles in Auckland region

1.10.2019

A report from the Auckland regional coordination centre for the measles outbreak has found the disproportionate number of pre-schoolers with the disease behind the high rate of hospitalisation.

Director of Health Outcomes for the Waitematā and Auckland DHBs, Dr Karen Bartholomew, says the report has found the proportion of people hospitalised with measles this year is 35 to 40 percent, and this is higher than anticipated.

“In other outbreaks and in other countries the hospitalisation rate is usually closer to 10 percent.

“We believe that the main reason for this is the high number and the high rate of children aged 0 – 4 years with measles. Young children are very susceptible to complications from measles such as pneumonia,“ Dr Bartholomew says.

Around 52 percent of children under 5 years with measles have been hospitalised in this outbreak, and Maori and Pacific children and adults are more likely to be in hospital with measles, with Maori rates at 41 percent and Pacific rates at 37 percent.

The most common complication is pneumonia, where there have been 65 hospitalisations (1:16), but there have also been three hospitalisations for encephalitis (1:350)

“While there have been no measles deaths in this outbreak, there have been five pregnant women hospitalised and two fetal losses associated with these events.


“These are very sad events for these two women and their families. We do know that measles can cause pregnancy complications including miscarriage and pre-term birth.

“I want to reassure pregnant women that they have the same risk of coming into contact with measles as anyone else in Auckland (or those visiting). The risk is still low for each individual,” Dr Bartholomew says.

“The advice for pregnant women is to talk to your lead maternity carer or GP. They will be able to tell you if you have been tested for rubella, and in New Zealand, if you are immune to rubella, you are usually considered to be immune to measles,” she says.

The interim report is from the region’s three District Health Boards and Auckland Regional Public Health Service and includes cases up to 17 September. The interim report and information for pregnant women will be available on the ARPHS website later this afternoon. A full report will be produced at the end of the outbreak.

The total number of measles cases in Auckland is at 1307 today.

https://www.arphs.health.nz/news/re...isation-rates-for-measles-in-auckland-region/
 
Source: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1910/S00008/new-measles-case-confirmed-in-canterbury.htm


New measles case confirmed in Canterbury
Canterbury DHB Tuesday, 1 October 2019, 5:42 pm
Press Release: Canterbury District Health Board

A Canterbury woman, working at Burwood Hospital has been confirmed as having measles.

Canterbury DHB’s Community and Public Health team has been working to identify all close contacts of this woman both at work, and in her private life, determining their immunisation status and offering advice regarding what further action they should take.

The DHB’s Occupational Health and Infection Prevention Control teams are working with patients and staff at Burwood who may have been exposed.

Anyone who was in the following locations at the times listed should be aware that they may have been exposed and at risk of developing measles, unless they are sure they’ve had two MMR vaccinations or are over 50 years of age. If they are not in either of those two groups, they should isolate themselves at home until the dates listed (inclusive):

• At New World supermarket, Prestons Road between 5-6pm on 23 September - remain isolated until 7 October
• At Fitness Canterbury, Wairakei Road between 6.15-8.30pm on 23 September - remain isolated until 7 October
• At Taiora QEII Recreation and Sports Centre between 6-8am on 24 September - remain isolated until 8 October
• At Hoi An Restaurant, Halswell between 7-9pm on 25 September – remain isolated until 9 October..

*********************************************************************************************************************************
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/he...abies-die-of-complications-related-to-measles
Auckland measles outbreak: Two unborn babies die of complications related to measles
Caroline Williams15:32, Oct 01 2019

The deaths came after several pregnant women caught the disease, Dr Karen Bartholomew said today.

Two unborn babies have died as a result of "serious consequences possibly related to measles", Auckland Regional Public Health Service has confirmed.

ARPHS medical officer of health, Dr William Rainger, confirmed the "fetal losses" at a press conference on Tuesday, adding complications in pregnancy related to measles were known to occur and could result in miscarriages or low birth weights.

However, he said pregnant women were at no greater risk of developing measles than any other person living in Auckland...

Source:
 
Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=12272174

Measles outbreak worsens in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes district
3 Oct, 2019 6:00am
By: Sandra Conchie
Sandra is a senior reporter at the Bay of Plenty Times

The number of confirmed measles cases in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes District has risen to more than 55 as health officials continue to try and contain the outbreak.

As at October 1, there were 11 confirmed cases in Rotorua, 10 in Taupō, and 37 in the Western Bay since January 1 this year.

The confirmed cases across the country this year have risen to 1576, which included 1307 in the Auckland region, according to the Ministry of Health.

Two unborn babies in Auckland have died after their mothers caught measles during the recent outbreak of the disease, Auckland Regional Public Health has confirmed.

Dr Phil Shoemack, Toi Te Ora Public Health's medical officer of health, said of the 58 confirmed cases in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes district, 22 people were hospitalised.

Sixteen of the 22 patients were treated in Tauranga Hospital, and the rest in hospitals in the Lakes district, and all those patients had since been discharged, he said...
 
Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=12274570


Northland measles cases reach 73 and six under investigation
8 Oct, 2019 6:00pm
By: Imran Ali
Imran Ali is a reporter for the Northern Advocate

There's been an increase in measles cases among primary school-aged children in Northland as the number of confirmed cases stand at 73.

Recent cases were seen in and around Kerikeri, Whangārei, and Kaiwaka and most were in the five to 14 year age group, followed by under 5 years although the exact latest numbers were being collated.

Northland Medical Officer of Health Dr Catherine Jackson said Northland DHB has seen an increase in cases of people who travelled to Auckland over September and came back with measles...
 
Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12275271

Auckland measles outbreak has peaked, cases now declining
10 Oct, 2019 1:05pm
By: Dubby Henry
Dubby Henry is a reporter for the New Zealand Herald


There have been more than 1400 cases of measles in Auckland but it appears the outbreak has now passed its peak, with new cases declining, experts say.

Three people remain in hospital in Auckland and they are all children in the Counties Manukau area.

Over the past three weeks there had been fewer numbers and fewer hospitalisations, medical officer of health William Rainger told reporters this afternoon.

"That gives us ongoing optimism that the outbreak in Auckland has reached its peak and may be now declining."...
 
Source: https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/health/southern-measles-cases-rise-66


Friday, 11 October 2019
Southern measles cases rise to 66
News Dunedin Health

The Southern District Health Board has confirmed seven residents from Queenstown and one from Gore as new measles cases this week bringing to total number of cases in the southern region to 66.

Total cases for each location:

Dunedin - 2
Oamaru - 1
Wanaka - 2
Queenstown - 60
Gore - 1

"The Gore resident was in contact with a known case and has been in isolation throughout the infectious period"...
***********************************************************************************************************************************

Source: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1910/S00301/new-measles-case-confirmed-in-hawkes-bay.htm

New measles case confirmed in Hawke’s Bay
Friday, 11 October 2019, 6:50 pm
Press Release: Hawke's Bay District Health Board

New measles case confirmed in Hawke’s Bay

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board is asking all passengers on an Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Napier on Monday 7 October at 4:30pm, as well as anyone who visited domestic terminals linked to this flight, to check their immunity to measles and be extra vigilant for symptoms.

A male in his 20’s from Hawke’s Bay has today been confirmed with measles and was a passenger on the following Air New Zealand flight, before he knew he had measles:

• Flight Air NZ 5019 - Monday 7 October from Auckland to Napier (4:30pm departure – approximate 5:30pm arrival into Napier)

The new measles case takes the total number of measles cases in Hawke’s Bay, this year, to seven...
 
Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12276469

New prisoner suspected of having measles at Ngawha Prison
14 Oct, 2019 4:44pm
By: Imran Ali
Imran Ali is a reporter for the Northern Advocate

A newly-arrived prisoner at Ngawha Prison suspected to have measles will be isolated until his immunity status is be confirmed.

Corrections deputy national commissioner Andy Milne said the prisoner arrived at the Northland Region Corrections Facility, just outside Kaikohe, on Friday last week and was immediately isolated after disclosing he might have contracted measles while in the community...

*****************************************************************************

Source: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new...-flight-queensland-auckland-diagnosed-measles

Warning after passenger on Air NZ flight from Queensland to Auckland diagnosed with measles
9:32pm 1 NEWS

Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) says a passenger on a flight from the Sunshine Coast to Auckland has been diagnosed with measles.

Air New Zealand flight NZ768 departed the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday October 9 about 11.40am local time and arrived in Auckland about 5.40pm NZT.

ARPHS Clinical Director Dr Julia Peters said the man on the flight was unaware he had measles when he took the flight, and that others onboard should now be aware of the symptoms...
 
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