DHB asks unwell visitors to stay away from hospitals – RNZ

People are being asked to stay away from Whangārei Hospital if they are feeling unwell to stop the further spread of measles.

There are now nine confirmed cases of the infection in Northland with three new ones this week and one patient in intensive care.

The new cases are aged 25 to 58 and none were immunised.

The Medical Officer of Health Catherine Jackson said contact tracing has discovered that people had visited the hospital not realising they were infectious.

She said the early symptoms of measles before the rash erupts are similar to the flu – with fever, a cough, runny nose and sore eyes.

Dr Jackson said measles has now well and truly arrived in the north and everyone in the community needed to be vigilant.

As a result of the latest cases another 30 people and their close contacts were in isolation to limit the spread of the virus.

Dr Jackson said people turning up unwell at Accident and Emergency were now being given masks to wear.

The DHB also appealed to people not to visit family or friends in hospital until they were feeling better themselves.

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