CHINA: Measles Warning On China Southern Auckland-Bound Flight

Health officials are warning about an outbreak of measles after a plane touched down in Auckland from China with an infected passenger.

Passengers on board China Southern Airlines flight CZ305 which touched down on January 30 may have all been exposed to the disease.

"A passenger on this particular flight had measles and was infectious while travelling. It creates a health risk to other passengers on board," said Dr Richard Hoskins from Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS).

The flight departed Guangzhou Baiyun International airport at 2:00 a.m. and arrived in Auckland on January 30 at 5:50 p.m.

The passengers were most likely to experience symptoms from February 6, health officials said.

"Passengers who feel unwell should immediately telephone their doctor or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice. Measles is highly infectious and you could infect other people in the medical centre waiting room, therefore it's very important to phone in advance," Hoskins said.

ARPHS staff have contacted people who would have crossed paths with the infected traveller as well as passengers who sat nearby on the aircraft.

"Measles cannot be treated once you get it. The only way to protect from measles and the best way to avoid its complications is to be fully vaccinated. My plea would be for parents and families to check that their immunisations are up-to-date," Hoskins said.

"Measles is rare in New Zealand thanks to immunisation. We had two big outbreaks in 2011 and 2014 from people who were infected overseas. People tend to underestimate measles - the reality is it can be a nasty disease."

The disease is so easily contracted, you can even get it just from walking past an infected person or sitting next to them. The risk is increased if you have not had the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccination or if you received only one dose.

The first symptoms 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 on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

The infectious illness can be passed on to other people well before the rash appears and is easily transmitted from one person to another.

One in 10 people with measles need hospital treatment.