Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) is asking people who may have been exposed to measles in three public locations to be alert to symptoms.
The service has been notified of two separate cases of measles which are not linked, an infant and a young adult.
The adult was at Matakana Market on the morning of March 3, and at an event at Life Central Church, Normanby Road on the evening of March 6.
People at Wesley Market on the morning of March 8 may have also been exposed as the infant was at the International Women’s Day event there.
Medical Officer of Health Dr William Rainger is asking people who were at any of these locations at these times to be aware they may have been in contact with the airborne virus, and to watch for symptoms.
Symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes, followed by a rash starting around the head and spreading to the body.
The service is tracing all household, work, social and other contacts of the two cases to check immunity, discuss quarantine and monitor the appearance of any symptoms, following standard public health procedures.
These two cases are not considered to be linked to any cases in the Canterbury outbreak.
Auckland’s first case of measles this year occurred 10 days ago.
Dr Rainger says the practice of communicating with all contacts, quarantining those who are not immune and checking for symptoms daily reduces the risk of transmission in the community at large.
“People who have been at the three public locations on these dates, however, need to be aware they may have been exposed and watch for symptoms especially if they are not immunised,” he says.
“If you feel unwell, please call your medical practice first and tell them if you have these symptoms, or you may have been exposed to the illness.
“You could infect others in the waiting room if you just turn up,” Dr Rainger adds.
Measles is one of the most contagious airborne diseases, and is infectious before the rash appears.
It is very easily transmitted from one person to another, possibly by being the same space where an infected person has been.
Many young people in the region are not fully immunised, and people born after 1969 and before 1992 will have received only one MMR vaccine.
These people are entitled to the second MMR dose free of charge, although a practice nurse fee may apply.
You can be immunised at any time if you have missed your two vaccinations.
Phone your doctor or call Healthline on 0800 611-116 for advice.