A public health academic says there is potential for a serious outbreak of measles in New Zealand. Professor Sir Colin Tukuitonga says there is sufficient reason for concern given the local transmission rate and low vaccination uptake.
Health officials are trying to stamp out the spread of measles with three schools now affected including one of the country's largest. So far there are 13 confirmed cases and more than two thousand close contacts have been identified.
Measles is highly contagious but only about 80 percent of New Zealanders are immune - well below the 95 percent coverage needed to prevent an outbreak. The most recent modelling suggests 150 cases are possible a week.
Professor Tukuitonga speaks to Mihingarangi Forbes about what needs to be done moving forward.
The MMR vaccine, which is used to immunise children against measles, mumps and rubella. Photo: Tom Lee / Stuff
