Measles Alert: 35 new cases as NZ's Pacific communities urged to check vaccinations

Three new cases of measles have been confirmed in New Zealand, with two in Auckland and one in Wellington, bringing the total number of cases nationwide to 35, Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand says.

The latest cases come as health authorities continue to track the outbreak and urge people, especially in Pacific communities, to check their vaccination status.

Pacific families have been among the groups most affected in past outbreaks, and relatively low immunisation coverage in some communities increases the risk of spread.

One of the new cases has links to Queensgate Mall in Lower Hutt, where the person visited on 5 and 11 December. Health New Zealand says people who were at the mall at those times are considered casual contacts, meaning the risk of transmission is lower than for close contacts, but vigilance is still needed.

Health officials have also identified a series of other locations of interest between Canterbury and Queenstown. These include Chemist Warehouse in Riccarton, Fairlie Bakehouse, and the Mount Cook Visitor Centre. Anyone who was at these places at the specified times should watch for symptoms and seek medical advice if they feel unwell.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in communities where people are not fully protected. It starts with symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash. The virus spreads through coughing and sneezing and can linger in the air for up to two hours.

Officials are stressing the importance of vaccination as the best defence. “The best protection is to make sure you are up to date with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine after 12 months of age,” a health spokesperson stated in a recent advisory, adding that it is never too late to get immunised and that vaccinations are free for most people in New Zealand.

For Pacific families, many of whom share close living and social networks, being up to date with vaccinations not only protects individuals but also helps to protect babies too young to be vaccinated and older people who may be more vulnerable. Past outbreaks in the Pacific have shown how quickly measles can spread and how serious the consequences can be without strong protection.

Health New Zealand says a full list of locations of interest linked to the outbreak can be found on their website as they continue to monitor the situation closely. Officials are particularly urging parents and caregivers to check that children have received both doses of the measles vaccine, usually given after 12 months of age.

With the holiday season here and people gathering in larger numbers, the risk of measles circulating more widely remains elevated. Health officials say that staying informed, acting early, and ensuring vaccinations are current is the best way to keep whānau and communities safe.

Read the full list of affected locations here.