Anti-vaccine figures are behind new unions for teachers. Image: AdobeStock by lesterman
<h2><span data-contrast="auto">Last week, it was reported that an Albany Senior High student came to school with an active case of measles. Shortly after, a household contact was confirmed as the second case. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The student was on campus in late April while infectious. All household contacts are currently in quarantine, and the school closed for a few days last week while Auckland Regional Public Health handled the case. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><b>Read the Term 1 edition of <i>School News</i> <a href="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/latest-print-issue/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-safelink="true" data-linkindex="0">HERE.</a></b></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Our last outbreak was in 2019 – 2020, primarily effecting the Auckland region. It involved 1604 confirmed cases of measles across New Zealand. During this outbreak, more than 30 percent of those infected were hospitalised. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Caused by a virus, measles is highly infectious and causes cold-like symptoms and fever in those infected. It is an airborne virus; you can also become infected through contact with a surface that holds infected snot and/or saliva. Those with measles may also present with sore, red eyes and a blotchy rash that could last for up to a week. Individuals are infectious four days before, and four days after the rash develops. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Those most at risk of complications are unvaccinated children, especially under 5s and immunocompromised people. Unvaccinated pregnant people who become infected with measles have an increased risk of miscarriage and premature labour. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">For children with low immunity, measles has a 50% death rate. Complications can include pneumonia, deafness and brain damage.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, Dr Owen Sinclair, a Māori paediatrician said “measles is much more infectious than COVID and much more lethal.</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<blockquote>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“It’s a huge concern.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Currently, childhood immunisation rates are low in New Zealand, creating concern about the potential of a measles outbreak. At the end of 2022, 82 percent of New Zealand’s two-year-olds were fully vaccinated. To reach herd immunity for measles, around 95 percent of the population must be vaccinated against the disease. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">So, what can educators do to protect their tamariki from the disease? If you’re not sure if you’ve had the MMR vaccine, public health advice is to check with your health professional. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent catching measles, and the vaccine is free. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">For more information on measles and how to protect yourself and your community, visit the </span><a href="https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/m/measles/" target="_blank"><span data-contrast="none">Health Navigator NZ</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> page. </span><span data-ccp-props="{";201341983";:0,";335559739";:160,";335559740";:259}"> </span></p>

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