STACY SQUIRES/STUFF/Stuff
A measles immunisation.
Students and staff at Auckland’s Albany Senior High School are asked to stay away from school as public health staff identify close contacts of a measles case.
A student was at the school while infectious with measles on Thursday and Friday last week. All household contacts are currently in quarantine.
While the school was already closed for a teachers’ only day on Thursday, information has been sent to the school community alerting them to the additional school closure on Friday.
Public health is asking all staff and students to check their immunity and stay home in quarantine if they are not immune.
READ MORE:
* Measles: Health body texting, emailing young people who may be undervaccinated
* Measles: Jakarta-Sydney flight passengers potentially exposed to confirmed case
* Doctor warns ‘plenty of opportunity’ for measles spread due to events, low vaccination
People are considered immune if they have evidence of two Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) doses after 12 months of age, having had measles or were born before 1969. Staff and students will be contacted by Public Health.
National Public Health Service Interim Clinical Lead Dr William Rainger said although many students would be fully vaccinated with two MMR doses, we needed to close the school, so we could check the immunity of all 100 staff and 900 students.
“Public health is working as quickly as possible to check immunisation records, and will be in touch with students who are not immune to ask them to remain in quarantine and to provide them with further advice and support.”
Anyone with concerns or questions about measles can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116, at any time.
