9 Sep 2019

Pacific move to protect their people from NZ's measles outbreak

From , 5:04 am on 9 September 2019

The number of people with measles in New Zealand is rapidly rising with the illness literally going viral in Auckland, prompting warnings to the Pacific.

From 1 January 2019 to 6 September 2019 there have been 1059 confirmed cases of measles notified across New Zealand and 881 of these confirmed cases are in the Auckland region. (as at 6/8/19)

Some people infected with measles may develop severe complications such as pneumonia or encephalitis requiring hospitalization.

Young children, adults in their 20s, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk of complications.

Jenny Meyer spoke with experts around the Pacific about their reaction to the Auckland outbreak.

Dr Josephine Aumea Herman

Dr Josephine Aumea Herman Photo: Supplied