Four unvaccinated Dunedin children under 10 have been
identified as new measles cases, although only one has been
confirmed.
Southern District Health Board medical officer of health Dr
Derek Bell said yesterday the children, two of whom were
siblings, were all linked.
None of the children had been admitted to hospital.
Only one of the children's cases was proven, but the others
were suspected.
"It's disappointing because it is preventable [with a
vaccine]."
The new cases brought the South's total to six.
Last week, the DHB confirmed a Dunedin Hospital worker had
the measles and had worked a shift while unaware.
One of the children was sick last month, and was believed to
be linked with Dunedin's first case, a University of Otago
student who was ill several weeks ago. The case only came to
light in recent days, due to the subsequent infections.
"This is all presumptive, but the times all match up."
Dr Bell said it was important to clarify that although the
DHB's media statement yesterday said there were three new
cases, there were actually four.
New Zealand is experiencing a measles epidemic, with 387
cases this year, mostly in Auckland.
Public Health South ordered unvaccinated contacts of the
children into isolation for a fortnight.
Dr Bell said parents should ensure their children were fully
vaccinated to prevent the disease spreading.
Anyone born after 1969 should have had two doses of the
measles vaccine.
• For further information: www.southerndhb.govt.nz
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