The Department of Health has urged travellers to New Zealand to ensure they are fully vaccinated against measles before visiting the Shaky Isles.
Director of Communicable Diseases at NSW Health, Dr Vicky Sheppeard said almost 1,000 cases of measles had been reported in New Zealand so far this year.
“This highly contagious disease presents a risk not only to travellers and their families, but also to the wider NSW community,” Dr Sheppeard said.
“So far in 2019, four measles cases have been introduced to NSW from New Zealand travellers, and that number could rapidly increase due to a recent surge of cases in New Zealand since early August.”
She said infants aged six months or older should receive a dose of measles vaccine before leaving Australia.
She said people who have been in the same known locations as those with measles should be alert to symptoms.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body,” Dr Sheppeard said.
“Anyone who develops symptoms should arrange to see their GP and call ahead to ensure they don’t wait alongside other patients.”
Full details of exposure sites and times can be accessed on the NSW Health website at this PS News link.
