Latest news with #SusanJack
1News
16-05-2025
- Health
- 1News
Quarantine for 78 as hundreds of measles close contacts identified
Hundreds of close contacts of the measles case in Auckland have been contacted by Health New Zealand over the past week, in an attempt to contain the risk of the virus spreading in the city. On May 11, Health NZ announced that it had identified a measles case in Auckland which was linked to overseas travel. The case was first confirmed on May 10. Measles is highly contagious and up to 90% 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% of New Zealanders are immune — well below the 95% coverage needed to prevent an outbreak. Health NZ said it had reached out to 286 close contacts since, and 78 of those people are in quarantine as a precautionary measure. So far, 19 of the close contacts are waiting for blood test results to confirm their measles immunity status. Health NZ said it had offered and encouraged MMR vaccinations to anyone identified in the process as non-immune. The agency said it had delivered 50 food packages to people in quarantine who could not access food. Health NZ has confirmed 17 exposure events across Auckland — most of which took place on Fullers360 ferry sailings between Auckland CBD, Devonport, Rangitoto and Half Moon Bay on May 5. Other locations include a CBD carpark on Customs St, Unichem pharmacy in New Lynn, a Pak'nSave supermarket in Mt Albert, and a Woolworths supermarket in Kelston. The national clinical director of protection at the National Public Health Service, Dr Susan Jack, said their staff had been making phone calls, sending texts and emails, and in some cases door-knocking to follow up on close contacts. She said the virus was highly contagious and an infected person can infect as many as 12 to 18 other people on average. "Our teams have focussed on moving as quickly as possible to reduce the spread," she said. Jack said anyone identified as non-immune during the contact tracing process have been asked to quarantine. "Vaccination with two doses of the MMR vaccine remains the absolute best protection against becoming seriously unwell with measles. "The vaccine is 99% effective after two doses and for most people there's no risk in having an extra dose if it's needed. Now is the time for you and your whānau to check if you're protected against measles, and to get immunised if you're not, or if you're unsure." She said it was especially important for infants and young children, and adults who were born or lived in New Zealand between 1969 and 2004 (now aged between 21 and 56), who may not be fully protected, to check their immunisation status. Jack also encouraged anyone planning to travel internationally to make sure they were vaccinated against measles — given the risks over outbreaks in many countries.
NZ Herald
16-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Measles alert: 78 quarantined, hundreds traced as Auckland case sparks concern
About 80% of New Zealanders are immune, well below the 95% coverage needed to prevent an outbreak. HNZ said it had reached out to 286 close contacts since and 78 of those people are in quarantine as a precautionary measure. So far, 19 of the close contacts are waiting for blood test results to confirm their measles immunity status. HNZ said it had offered and encouraged MMR vaccinations to anyone identified in the process as non-immune. The agency said it had delivered 50 food packages to people in quarantine who could not access food. HNZ has confirmed 17 exposure events across Auckland – most of which took place on Fullers360 ferry sailings between Auckland CBD, Devonport, Rangitoto and Half Moon Bay on May 5. Other locations include a CBD carpark on Customs St, Unichem pharmacy in New Lynn, a Pak'nSave supermarket in Mt Albert, and a Woolworths supermarket in Kelston. The national clinical director of protection at the National Public Health Service, Dr Susan Jack, said its staff had been making phone calls, sending texts and emails, and in some cases door knocking to follow up on close contacts. She said the virus was highly contagious and an infected person can infect as many as 12 to 18 other people on average. 'Our teams have focused on moving as quickly as possible to reduce the spread,' she said. Jack said anyone identified as non-immune during the contact tracing process has been asked to quarantine. 'Vaccination with two doses of the MMR vaccine remains the absolute best protection against becoming seriously unwell with measles. ' The vaccine is 99% effective after two doses and for most people there's no risk in having an extra dose if it's needed. Now is the time for you and your whānau to check if you're protected against measles, and to get immunised if you're not, or if you're unsure.' She said it was especially important for infants and young children, and adults who were born or lived in New Zealand between 1969 and 2004 (now aged between 21 and 56), who may not be fully protected, to check their immunisation status. Jack also encouraged anyone planning to travel internationally to make sure they were vaccinated against measles because of the risks of outbreaks in many countries.
Otago Daily Times
16-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
78 quarantined over Auckland measles case
Hundreds of close contacts of the measles case in Auckland have been contacted by Health New Zealand (HNZ) over the past week, in an attempt to contain the risk of the virus spreading in the city. On 11 May, HNZ announced that it had identified a measles case in Auckland which was linked to overseas travel. The case was first confirmed on 10 May. 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. HNZ said it had reached out to 286 close contacts since, and 78 of those people are in quarantine as a precautionary measure. So far, 19 of the close contacts are waiting for blood test results to confirm their measles immunity status. HNZ said it had offered and encouraged MMR vaccinations to anyone identified in the process as non-immune. The agency said it had delivered 50 food packages to people in quarantine who could not access food. HNZ has confirmed 17 exposure events across Auckland - most of which took place on Fullers360 ferry sailings between Auckland CBD, Devonport, Rangitoto and Half Moon Bay on 5 May. Other locations include a CBD carpark on Customs Street, Unichem pharmacy in New Lynn, a Pak'nSave supermarket in Mt Albert, and a Woolworths supermarket in Kelston. The national clinical director of protection at the National Public Health Service, Dr Susan Jack, said their staff had been making phone calls, sending texts and emails, and in some cases door-knocking to follow up on close contacts. She said the virus was highly contagious and an infected person can infect as many as 12 to 18 other people on average. "Our teams have focussed on moving as quickly as possible to reduce the spread," she said. Jack said anyone identified as non-immune during the contact tracing process have been asked to quarantine. "Vaccination with two doses of the MMR vaccine remains the absolute best protection against becoming seriously unwell with measles. "The vaccine is 99 percent effective after two doses and for most people there's no risk in having an extra dose if it's needed. Now is the time for you and your whānau to check if you're protected against measles, and to get immunised if you're not, or if you're unsure." She said it was especially important for infants and young children, and adults who were born or lived in New Zealand between 1969 and 2004 (now aged between 21 and 56), who may not be fully protected, to check their immunisation status. Jack also encouraged anyone planning to travel internationally to make sure they were vaccinated against measles - given the risks over outbreaks in many countries.
Epoch Times
15-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Health NZ, Doctors Sound Warning on Measles Spread
Experts say New Zealand is at high risk of a measles epidemic, after a case was confirmed in Auckland, the most populous city. Multiple contact points have been identified, and the vaccination rate is at 80 percent. Preventing a widespread outbreak needs a level of around 95 percent to achieve herd immunity. That latest case was discovered on May 11 and is a worker on a busy ferry, meaning they come into close contact with hundreds of people every day. They had recently returned from Asia and had visited a supermarket and a carpark before finding out they had the disease. Authorities say this person had not been infectious while flying home. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known, and about 90 percent of those who come into contact with it and are not immune are likely to be infected. The virus can live in the air long after the infected person has gone. About 10 percent of people with the disease get so sick they need hospital treatment, and it can cause serious long-term health consequences or even death, particularly for young children. Related Stories 5/7/2025 5/6/2025 However, in the fallout from controversy over the mRNA vaccines deployed against COVID-19, rates of immunisation with traditional vaccines—such as the MMR shot for measles, mumps, and rubella—have sharply declined in New Zealand. The current levels are at their lowest in 15 years, particularly among Maori and Pasifika communities. Health New Zealand's latest statistics showed only about 44 percent of Māori and 49 percent of Pasifika were fully immunised at 18 months. 'Like a Nightmare': Paediatrician Paediatrician Dr Owen Sinclair told RNZ that measles was nine times more infectious than COVID-19 and endangered anyone not immunised. 'From a medical perspective and from a paediatric perspective, this is like a nightmare,' he said. 'We really thought we'd got rid of it, but now it's come back due to a number of reasons.' Health NZ says people should watch for any symptoms that may suggest an infection, such as a rash, which will first appear on the face before spreading down, as well as a high fever, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes. 'Measles is a serious and highly infectious illness, which can affect adults as well as children and babies,' said Health NZ NPHS, Protection Clinical Director Dr Susan Jack. 'The MMR vaccine is the only thing that prevents measles.' Health Minister Simeon Brown said the government was targeting getting 95 percent of children fully vaccinated by the time they were 24 months old. Health NZ has published
1News
13-05-2025
- Health
- 1News
Auckland measles case: Two new locations of interest identified
Two more locations of interest have been revealed by Health New Zealand after a case of measles was identified in Auckland. Several locations of interest were named yesterday, including multiple ferry journeys and Woolworths Kelston. The case was linked to overseas travel, with Fullers360 confirming it was a member of its marine crew. In a statement this afternoon, Health NZ revealed an Auckland pharmacy and a second supermarket as places the person visited while infectious. The details of the new locations were the Unichem pharmacy in New Lynn on May 7 between 9am and 10.30am, and the Mount Albert Pak'nSave on May 7 between 10am and 11.45am. Anyone at these locations at these times was considered a close contact. Health NZ urged those people to check whether they had been vaccinated against measles. Measles is highly infectious and up to 90% of non-immunised people would be infected when exposed. Health NZ protection clinical director Dr Susan Jack said measles was a "serious and highly infectious illness" which could affect adults as well as children or babies. "The MMR vaccine is the only thing that prevents measles."
