Waitākere Hospital in West Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
A second person has been diagnosed with measles in Auckland.
Te Whatu Ora says the latest case is unrelated to one that was discovered last week but is, similarly, linked to recent overseas travel.
Public health staff were working to identify people who came into contact with the individual while they were in emergency waiting rooms over the weekend.
The person was in the North Shore Hospital emergency department on Friday night (22 September) and in the Waitākere Hospital emergency department on Sunday night (24 September).
Te Whatu Ora said the case was not infectious when they arrived in New Zealand earlier this month, but they were concerned they were infectious when they came into contact with staff and children at the Busy Bees early childhood education centre in Hobsonville between 19 and 21 September.
"The illness spreads very quickly amongst people who aren't immune," said Medical Officer of Health Dr Jay Harrower.
"The first symptoms of measles include a fever, cough, runny nose and sore and watery pink eyes. This is followed by a blotchy rash."
People who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, have had measles previously, or were born before 1969 are considered immune to the infection.
Te Whatu Ora urged people who believe they have measles to not visit their GP or clinic in person because it is highly infectious. Instead, people were encouraged to phone their doctor or Healthline for advice.
"Given that this is the second case in one week from overseas travel, we are reminding people to be up to date with their immunisations," Harrower said.
"If you are unsure whether you've had one or two doses of MMR, there's no additional risk in getting another dose."
