The number of measles cases reported by the Waikato District Health Board Population Health Service (DHB) is now up to 20 confirmed cases of measles in the Waikato and 12 are under investigation.

Measles/CDC
Measles/CDC

The lasted is a case in a student at Morrinsville College, which has prompted school officials to take the following actions to include cancelling all sporting events over the weekend and closing the school on Monday so students and staff can get written evidence they are vaccinated.

The DHB has written to the school advising all staff and students who do not have documented immunity to measles (such as having not had two doses of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine), that they must stay at home in quarantine until Tuesday 24 May.

Measles is a serious illness, and one in 10 people with measles needs hospital treatment. Measles is infectious before the rash appears, and is very easily transmitted from one person to another through the air.

People most at risk of contracting the disease are those who have not had the MMR vaccine, or who have had just one dose of the vaccine. Anyone born before 1969 is likely to be immune to the disease without having had the vaccine.

“The only way to protect from measles and the best way to avoid its complications is to be fully vaccinated. My request would be for parents and families to check that their children’s immunisations are up-to-date.” says Medical Officer of Health Dr Richard Wall.

Related: