The original measles case is no longer infectious and out of isolation, the National Public Health Service says. Photo: RNZ /Dom Thomas
Health officials have stood down the public health response to measles, after no further cases were detected about two and a half weeks since a first case in Auckland was identified.
The case linked to overseas travel was reported to the National Public Health Service (NPHS) on 10 May, prompting health staff to contact 290 people identified as close contacts.
The original case had visited a number of locations, with the earliest exposure event dating back to 3 May.
One hundred and sixty five of the close contacts identified were asked to quarantine as a precaution.
NPHS said in a statement on Tuesday that it now had good reason to stand down the response.
"With the original case no longer infectious and out of isolation, and with the last few of the 165 people in quarantine now released with no further cases detected, NPHS is confident the risk from this case is low," said the agency's medical officer of health, Dr Emma Sherwood.
"We remain ready as always to swing into action again should any new cases emerge," she added.
Measles is highly contagious and up to 90 percent of non-immune people (those who have not been vaccinated or have not already had it) will be infected if they are exposed to the virus.
About 80 percent of New Zealanders are immune - well below the 95 percent coverage needed to prevent an outbreak.
Dr Sherwood said the recent case was a timely reminder of the critical importance of getting vaccinated against measles.
"Immunisation is particularly important for infants, young children and adults born between 1969 and 2004, many of whom are likely to have had only one dose of the vaccine,
"And, with this recent case being acquired overseas, we continue to urge anyone travelling internationally to make sure they're up to date with their MMR vaccine," she said.
Dr Sherwood said they would like to thank everyone across who has played a part in ensuring that exposures related to the Auckland case did not result in a large outbreak.
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