12 May 2015
Dear Parent/Guardian/Staff
Information for contacts of a measles case
A student at Berkley School has been confirmed as having measles and notified to Waikato DHB’s Population
Health.
Students and staff at the School may have been exposed to this infection. Measles is a serious viral infection;
the early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes and white spots inside the mouth. After 2
to 5 days a rash appears on the face and then moves down the body. Occasionally measles has dangerous
complications. Measles is highly infectious.
All students who have not had two doses of MMR (measles) vaccine (this will need to be documented either
via school records, GP records or a Well Child Book) must stay at home in quarantine until 22 May 2015 i.e.
they can return to school etc on the Friday 22 May and not before.
To clarify, being in quarantine/isolation at home requires the individual to stay at home and away from
public places (such as sports events, child care arrangements, gatherings, parties, school, sport events or
playing sports, work, child care, shopping centres, public transport and so on) until 22 May 2015

If your child has had 2 doses of MMR, please provide documentation to school if they do not already
have it, they should be immune and there is no reason for isolation or keeping them away from
school.

If you are not sure of your child’s immunisation records, check with your GP and keep your child at
home in quarantine until you have the information that they have had 2 doses of MMR.

If your child has had one documented dose of MMR (more than a month ago) please keep them at
home in quarantine, make an appointment with your family doctor for the second MMR, and once
received, they may then return to school.

If you child has received no documented doses of MMR then they are required to be quarantined at
home (see below) until 22 May in accordance with the Health (Infectious and Notifiable Diseases)
Regulations 1966.
I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, but it is a necessary measure.
The control of last year’s measles outbreak confirmed the advice above must be followed. By doing this
is should mean that all potential further cases will not be at school while they are infectious and thus the
above date of end of quarantine will not need to be extended.
All students should look out for symptoms until 22 May 2015.
The incubation period for measles is approximately two weeks and thus we ask you to look out for such
symptoms any time in the next few weeks.
The first symptoms of measles are a fever, and one or more of a runny nose, cough and sore red eyes.
After a few days a red blotchy rash appears and lasts up to one week. The rash usually starts on the face
and spreads to the rest of the body. Measles can be very serious.
If your child becomes unwell please phone your GP or call Health line on 0800 611 116 for advice or seek
medical attention depending on severity of illness. It is important to call first because measles is highly
infectious, and people with measles can infect others in the waiting room.
We also ask if your child becomes ill to inform us at Population Health (07 8382569) so we can also
work with the GP to confirm your possible diagnosis and prevent further spread.
Table: How do I know whether I or my child are immune?
Type of contact
Risk and action
Children aged under 15 months who have not
yet had an MMR vaccine
Are advised to take this letter to your GP.
Pregnant women who are not sure of their
immunity
Are advised to take this letter to your GP.
Children who have not yet had any doses of
MMR vaccine (normally MMR is given at 15
months and again at 4 years)
Are at risk of becoming sick with measles.
Children who have only had one dose of
MMR
If aged under 4 years they are probably
already immune.
Are advised to take this letter to your GP.
All should have their second dose as soon as
possible. Once they have had the second
dose, they can be considered to be immune
and no longer at risk.
Please take this letter to your GP or
contact Population Health
Children and Adults who have had two doses
documented of measles mumps rubella
(MMR) vaccine
Are immune
Adults born before 1969
Are considered to be immune
No further action required
No further action required
Adults born from 1969–1991
95% of NZ born are thought to be immune.
If you do not have documented evidence of
two doses of MMR.
Arrange to have an MMR. You are advised
to take this letter to your GP.
Immunisation against measles is the most effective way to prevent infection. I recommend that you have
your child immunised against measles as soon as possible.
If you require further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact Population Health (07
8382569) or visit Waikato DHB website:
http://www.waikatodhb.health.nz/measles
Kind regards
Dr Anita Bell
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
Hugh Monckton Trust Building, Cnr Rostrevor & Harwood Streets, P O Box 505, 3240, Hamilton, New Zealand
T: 07 838 2569 F: 07 838 2382