We are committed to keeping our community safe. Help us by calling before you come into the clinic if you have symptoms of measles or, have been in contact with somebody who has measles virus.

Vaccination is the best protection against measles.

ABOUT MEASLES

• Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can be life-threatening. The virus is airbornespread, or less commonly via direct contact with respiratory secretions or droplets.

• The incubation period is approximately 14 days, ranging from 7 to 21 days (from exposure to onset of rash).

• The prodrome resembles many other viral infections, e.g. fever, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis (the 3 Cs), and potentially Koplik’s spots. The prodrome starts 3 to 7 days before the rash.

• Fever over 38°C persists for at least 24 hours after the rash appears.

• The rash starts behind the ears and neck then spreads to the trunk and limbs, and lasts 4 to 7 days, with the patient being most unwell during the first 2 days of the rash.

• The entire course of uncomplicated measles, from late prodrome to resolution of fever and rash, is 7 to 10 days.

• The infectious period starts 4 days before the onset of the rash (day of rash onset is Day 0) and concludes on Day 4 after the day of rash onset, i.e. a total of 9 days.

If you have any unanswered questions or, would like to refer whanau and friends to more information, please check out Healthify He Puna Waiora (Aotearoa New Zealand’s go-to online resource for trusted and easy to understand health information).