Measles Information
Measles sometimes known as English measles is a viral infection that can lead to ear infections, pneumonia and/or diarrhoea. Sometimes it can cause serious problems such as inflammation (swelling) of the brain. It can make you very sick and may result in a week or more off work or school.
What are the symptoms?
The disease begins with a fever, conjunctivitis (red eyes), runny nose and small irregular, bright red spots with a small white speck, on the inside of the mouth. The characteristic red rash appears on the body on the third to seventh day and lasts for up to one week.
Diagnosis is confirmed by a blood test.
How is it caught/spread?
Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and is spread by airborne droplets from sneezing, coughing or from direct contact with nasal or throat secretions.
It usually takes 10-12 days after exposure for the onset of fever and another 2-4 days after the fever for the rash to appear.
However, the onset of fever and rash may vary from 7-20 days.
A person is infectious from one day before the start of symptoms to four days after the appearance of the rash.
How is it treated?
The only treatment is to relieve symptoms. It is important that a child with measles is kept at home until he/she is not infectious, to prevent spreading it to others.
Can it be prevented?
Immunisation is the only effective means of preventing the disease and controlling it in the community. The measles vaccine is included in the MMR vaccination which is given in two stages. Due to the present outbreak there has been a temporary change to the vaccine schedule. The first dose is now being given at twelve months and the second dose given at thirteen months. If the first dose has already been given then the second dose should be given as soon as possible, at least one month following the first dose. Immunised children occasionally still develop measles but it is usually not as severe as in the unimmunised cases.
What should I do if I think my child has measles?
If measles is suspected, the child should be seen by a doctor and kept away from other children.
He/she should be off school/pre-school for at least four days after the appearance of the rash.
Unimmunised contacts who do not have a history of measles confirmed by a blood test may be excluded from school/pre-school for 14 days after exposure.
What responsibilities do schools have in case of measles outbreaks?
School’s must keep an up to date register of childrens’ immunisations. As children are vaccinated at different ages for different diseases you need a robust reminder system to ensure this occurs. This will assist health authorities in any decision that will need to be made to contain an outbreak. If you are unable to determine whether a child should be excluded for any childhood illness or you need more information on childhood illnesses you can contact:
Your local doctor or practice nurse
Your local Public Health Nurse 03 687 2320
Communicable Diseases at Community & Public Health 03 688 6019