A person in Auckland has been confirmed to have measles after recently travelling overseas and Te Whatu Ora is warning people to be aware of early symptoms and to "stay alert".
The case was confirmed after the person visited Auckland City Hospital's adult emergency department (ED) on September 17.
National Public Health Service northern region's clinical director Lavinia Perumal said the case is currently being cared for in isolation in the hospital.
"Public health is working closely with the Auckland City Hospital team to identify people who may have come into contact with the individual for a short time, before the person was isolated from others," Perumal said.
"We will be informing close contacts who were in ED at this time about their exposure, and they will be given advice on immunity, vaccination and quarantine."
The person with measles visited a Takanini bakery, Bake and Beans, for around 15 minutes while infectious on Tuesday 12 September, however, the risk of infection remains for anyone who was there up to an hour afterwards.
Members of the public who visited the bakery on Great South Road between 5:15pm and 6:45pm have been asked to watch out for symptoms.
"They should stay home and phone their doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116 if they develop symptoms, but they should not attend a health service without advising the service first," Te Whatu Ora said in a statement to media on Tuesday.
Early symptoms of measles include a fever, cough, runny nose and sore and watery 'pink' eyes often followed by a blotchy rash.
According to Te Whatu Ora there is a "small number" of close contacts in the household and at the workplace of the person.
"Our first priority is to respond to this single case to stop further transmission," Perumal stressed.
The case was not infectious during the time they flew into New Zealand earlier this month.
"Measles is a very serious illness that spreads very quickly amongst people who aren't immune," she warned.
"We urge people to stay alert to symptoms of measles and ensure that children between 15 months and four years receive their normal vaccinations."
The best protection against measles is to be vaccinated with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to Te Whatu Ora.
MMR vaccines are free for those 18 years or under, and for New Zealand residents aged over.
People are considered immune if they have received two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, have had a measles illness previously, or lived in New Zealand prior to 1969.
Te Whatu Ora is urging people with symptoms to not visit their GP or after-hours clinics but to phone their family doctor/GP team to limit the risk of spreading the virus.
It comes after three earlier cases of measles in Auckland this year, one in February and two in May, linked to overseas travel.
"It is important that people travelling overseas make sure they have had their MMR so they do not bring the virus back into the country," Perumal said.
All close contacts who are not immune to measles through vaccination, age or previous infection are required to quarantine at home.
