Dr Byran Betty: Do we need to be concerned about measles?

Why do we need to be concerned? 

• Low vaccination rates especially Māori and pacific in certain parts of the country.
• With boarders open high risk of being introduced – comes from overseas.
• Many think of it as harmless – it’s not. 80 children died in outbreak prior to COVID.
• 1:10 with measles end up in hospital.
• Around the world kills more than 200,000 mainly young children

What is it? 

• Viral illness.
• Highly infectious – spread through the air, cough sneezing. 1person will spread to 15 others
• If you are in a room with someone with measles highly likely to get it. Spreads like wildfire.
• Antibiotics don’t treat!

What symptoms do children get? 

• First few days: Temperature, runny nose, cough, sore pink eyes – highly infectious during this time.
• May get white spots in mouth.
• 3 to 7 days: Then rash starts head/face – spreads to body.
• More severe complications: can cause ear infection, seizures, pneumonia – lung infection. 1:1000 can get brain swelling.

What do we do? 

• Treatment – pain relief, plenty fluids, staying home not spreading.
• With more severe measles 1:10 hospitalised
• Low vaccination rate in children mean our babies less than 12 months have no protection.
• Vaccination from 12 months only protection: 99% effective with two doses.

  

 

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