Measles in New Zealand

Measles: 'Check Your Immunity'

Woman Begs After Husband, 45, Gets Encephalitis

Dubby Henry
NZ Herald


A 45-year-old man who wrongly thought he was vaccinated against measles is in hospital with swelling on the brain after catching the virus.  His wife has urged people to double-check they are vaccinated after her husband contracted the highly contagious disease 10 days ago.  The woman - who asked not to be named as the situation was still sensitive - told the Herald she wanted people to know measles could hit anyone and it could be fatal.  "This virus is horrific. If it can do this to a fit 45-year-old male I can't imagine how a child or baby would cope." . . . .

The woman said she had no idea what measles encephalitis was until doctors diagnosed her husband.  She was stunned when the doctor told her there was no treatment - they could only offer him support like keeping him hydrated and managing his pain.

"[He said that] as medical professionals, this is what we're trying to stop because once we get here this is the worst of it."  Doctors told her it was clear from the severity of her husband's symptoms that he hadn't been immunised.  Her husband's condition had improved in the past day or so. . . .

Medical facilities have run low on MMR vaccines but a fresh batch of 52,000 doses has arrived in the country and is being readied for distribution.  New Zealand's director general of health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, said processes were being fast-tracked to ensure extra stock was distributed as quickly as possible.  . . . 

New Zealand's measles outbreak is now believed to have surpassed that of the United States.