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Measles: Locations of interest in Aotearoa New Zealand

We are starting to see more measles in Aotearoa. Get the latest information about locations where you may be at risk, and how to protect yourself.

High risk of measles outbreak

If you have measles symptoms, such as a fever and a rash, you should seek medical advice urgently. Call your healthcare provider or ring Healthline for free anytime on 0800 611 116

Symptoms of measles

Aotearoa New Zealand is at very high risk of a measles outbreak. Of all diseases, measles is one of the most dangerous and contagious. It is so infectious that you are very likely to catch it and pass it on to others if:

  • you are not immunised, and
  • you come into contact with someone who has measles.

Measles can spread very easily among people who are not protected (immune) from the virus. This is anyone who has not already had 2 doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, or who has not had measles before.

Locations of interest

There are currently no locations of interest, 

If you are a contact of someone with measles see 'Information for close contacts' to find out what to do.

If you are not sure if you are at risk, or have any questions, call Healthline on 0800 611 116

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  • If you were present at the one of the recent measles locations of interest (LOIs), and you are not immune to measles, you may be at high risk of developing and spreading measles.

    Do all of the following.

    • Contact Healthline urgently on 0800 611 116. Healthline will make sure local public health staff contact you to check your immunity and provide information and advice.
    • If you are pregnant or have a medical condition that has affected your immune system, let Healthline know.
    • Look at the quarantine dates for the event you were at. Stay at home or in your accommodation (do not go to school or work) from the quarantine start date until you have been contacted by a public health service — they will let you know what to do.

     Watch out for measles symptoms

    • At any time, if you develop symptoms of measles contact your healthcare provider or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
    • Before seeking care, call first and tell the healthcare professional that you have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with measles. This will help them take steps to keep other people safe.

    Find out if you have evidence that you are immune to measles

    When public health contact you, they will ask for evidence of your measles immunity. It will be helpful if you can find out this information before public health contact you.  

    If you were born before 1 January 1969, you do not need to provide evidence of measles immunity.  

  • If you were at recent measles locations of interest (LOIs), you may have had contact with a person with measles.

    Do all of the following:

    • Check if you are immune to measles.
    • If you were born after 1 January 1969, you must have evidence of your immunity.
    • If you have a condition that affects your immune system, you may not be protected from measles even if you have been immunised.
    If you have evidence confirming you are immune to measles, you do not need to do anything else.

    If you do not have evidence that you are immune to measles or you have a condition that has affected your immune system, do all of the following.

    Get immunised against measles — it does not matter if you have been immunised before
    • If you are pregnant or have a condition that has affected your immune system, see special circumstances below

    Watch out for measles symptoms for 14 days from the exposure event date

    At any time, if you develop symptoms of measles contact your healthcare provider or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

    Symptoms of measles

    Special circumstances

    If you are pregnant:

    • tell your midwife (or the health professional caring for you during your pregnancy) that you may have had contact with someone with measles
    • watch out for measles symptoms for 14 days from the exposure event date
    • do not have a measles vaccine until after your baby is born.

    If you have a condition that has affected your immune system:

    • tell your GP (or other health professional) that you may have had contact with someone with measles
    • watch out for measles symptoms
    • discuss the measles vaccine with your doctor — if you cannot be immunised you may be eligible for other treatment.

    Before seeking medical care, call first and tell the healthcare professional that you have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with measles. This will help them take steps to keep other people safe.

If you have a condition that has affected your immune system

You may not be protected from measles, even if you have been immunised. Contact your healthcare provider to find out what to do. 

If you were born after 1 January 1969, you must have evidence of your immunity. This is because:

  • it can be hard to tell if a person has had measles or another viral infection that causes a rash — in the past people may have been mistakenly told they had measles
  • often people remember they were 'fully vaccinated' as a child, but do not know what vaccines they received and when they received them — this information is needed to decide if you are immune. 
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