Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand has issued a health alert after a second case of measles within a week was confirmed in Auckland.
"This case is unrelated to the measles case notified last week but is also linked to recent overseas travel," Te Whatu Ora said.
While infected, the individual attended the emergency departments (EDs) of North Shore and Waitakere hospitals on the nights of September 22 and 24 respectively, the national agency said.
"Public health is also assessing the immunity of staff and children at Busy Bees Hobsonville early learning service, where the case attended for three days while infectious from September 19 to 21."
Measles is extremely contagious and can be stopped with vaccines. However, 95 percent vaccination is needed to prevent outbreaks.
Te Whatu Ora said the public health department is working to identify anyone who may have been in contact with the case while waiting in the EDs. The agency said contacts would be communicated with about what action to take.
According to the advisory, the public should familiarise themselves with measles symptoms and call a healthcare provider if a case was suspected.
"The first symptoms of measles include a fever, cough, runny nose and sore and watery pink eyes. This is followed by a blotchy rash," said Jay Harrower, the National Public Health Service Northern region's medical officer of health. "The illness spreads very quickly amongst people who aren't immune.
“Given that this is the second case in one week from overseas travel, we are reminding people to be up to date with their immunisation."
There was no additional risk of getting another shot of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine should someone forget whether they'd had two doses, Dr Harrower said.
"People are considered immune if they have received two doses... have had a measles illness previously or were born before 1969.
"Two MMR vaccines are free for anyone 18 years or under, and for New Zealand residents aged over 18 years. If you or anyone in your whānau has not had an MMR vaccine or aren't sure, ask your GP, parent or caregiver.
"Because measles is so infectious, it's important that people who are in quarantine or those with symptoms don’t visit their GP or after-hours clinics but phone their family doctor or GP for advice first. This is to limit the risk of the virus being spread to other people," Te Whatu Ora said.
