NZ 2025 Measles Outbreak

Forums › Health and fitness › NZ 2025 Measles Outbreak

Scott3

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#323192 4-Nov-2025 18:06

Largely for the benefit of those that don't follow local Media, NZ is having a measles outbreak.

17 cases have been confirmed.

Daily updates are being published:

https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/corporate-information/news-and-updates

As are Exposure locations:

https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/about-measles/measles-locations-of-interest-in-aotearoa-new-zealand

"Measles is a very contagious viral illness that spreads easily between people and makes most people feel very unwell. It can also cause serious health problems, including runny poos (diarrhoea), chest infections and brain swelling. About 1 in 3 people with measles will need hospital care."

https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/about-measles/measles

For Herd Immunity, greater than 95% of the population need to be fully vaccinated (2 doses). Big chunks of the NZ population are below this (for example under 5 year old's are at 82%)

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/577705/measles-vaccination-efforts-ramp-up-in-auckland

So there is a decent chance that this outbreak will not be contained, and will spread widely. (My thoughts only, no citation, hope I am wrong)

Suggest that people who are unsure of their vaccination status check to verify they are protected.

And those that have chosen to vaccinate due to the balance of (perceived) risks & rewards, seek medical advice on the topic, and re-run the evaluation with the infection risk of an active measles outbreak considered.

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#3430966 4-Nov-2025 18:14

Looking at the exposure locations I see it's broken out of Wellington and affected several NI West locations and one in Auckland. It's no longer a Wellington thing.

k1w1k1d

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#3430971 4-Nov-2025 18:42

Off to Wellington on Thursday.

Plunket book says I had measles twice 65 years ago so hope immunity still ok.

Scott3

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#3431088 4-Nov-2025 21:20

k1w1k1d:

Off to Wellington on Thursday.

Plunket book says I had measles twice 65 years ago so hope immunity still ok.

"If you were born before 1969 ... you are considered immune as there was lots of measles in the population until then. Because measles is highly infectious, it is very unlikely that anyone over 50 years old would have escaped infection and consequent lifelong immunity."

https://www.hauorahealth.nz/measles-info

But generally you can not get measles twice, not sure what is going on with that...

Scott3

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#3431089 4-Nov-2025 21:22

gzt: Looking at the exposure locations I see it's broken out of Wellington and affected several NI West locations and one in Auckland. It's no longer a Wellington thing.

Yip. It is somewhat scattered now:

Northland | Te Tai Tokerau

Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau

Taranaki

Manawatū

Wellington

Nelson

TOTAL

mattwnz

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#3431098 4-Nov-2025 22:30

Scott3:

k1w1k1d:

Off to Wellington on Thursday.

Plunket book says I had measles twice 65 years ago so hope immunity still ok.

"If you were born before 1969 ... you are considered immune as there was lots of measles in the population until then. Because measles is highly infectious, it is very unlikely that anyone over 50 years old would have escaped infection and consequent lifelong immunity."

https://www.hauorahealth.nz/measles-info

But generally you can not get measles twice, not sure what is going on with that...

I got immunised two weeks ago as I had been told I hadn't had the vaccination. You have to get two shots, 1 a month apart. It is possible I had a shot when very young, but they had no record of it.

Rikkitic

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#3431101 4-Nov-2025 22:50

I keep seeing the same stuff parroted over and over again. It just assumes everyone was born in New Zealand. But a lot of people are immigrants. What applies to other countries? How does someone know if they are immunised or not? I know I had the usual childhood vaccinations in my country 80 years ago but I have no idea what they were or whether they would still be effective.

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mattwnz

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#3431102 4-Nov-2025 23:15

Apparently there is no disadvantage in getting a shot if you don't think you have had one as long as it is safe for you to get it

Scott3

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#3431105 5-Nov-2025 00:34

Rikkitic:

I keep seeing the same stuff parroted over and over again. It just assumes everyone was born in New Zealand. But a lot of people are immigrants. What applies to other countries? How does someone know if they are immunized or not? I know I had the usual childhood vaccinations in my country 80 years ago but I have no idea what they were or whether they would still be effective.

My (not in the medical field) understanding is that measles was widespread before measles vaccines, to a point where it is highly probable anybody born before vaccines became widespread has had measles before, giving lifetime immunity.

First measles vaccines came out in 1963, and a more effective one in 1698. If you are 80+, much of your youth was before vaccines it is probable you have had measles already and are immune.

NZ specific advice is "If you were born in Aotearoa New Zealand before 1969 it is likely you are immune to measles. This is because before this time there were no measles vaccines, so most people were infected with measles during childhood." - Guessing our vaccine program didn't ramp up until 1969.

cddt

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#3431110 5-Nov-2025 07:34

Rikkitic:

I keep seeing the same stuff parroted over and over again. It just assumes everyone was born in New Zealand. But a lot of people are immigrants. What applies to other countries? How does someone know if they are immunised or not? I know I had the usual childhood vaccinations in my country 80 years ago but I have no idea what they were or whether they would still be effective.

If you are 80 years old you likely had the measles as a child, no matter where you were living.

My referral links: BigPipe | Mercury

cddt

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#3431111 5-Nov-2025 07:35

I feel for those with children who are too young to be immunised.

We had a newborn during the 2019 outbreak and avoided a lot of public places in order to try and protect her.

My referral links: BigPipe | Mercury

k1w1k1d

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#3431137 5-Nov-2025 09:49

I just can't understand the reluctance of people to get themselves and their children vaccinated.

Diseases such as polio, smallpox, whooping cough, diphtheria, and measles etc that used to cause untold suffering and death have now been virtually eliminated due to vaccines.

The study that tried to link autism to vaccines has been totally debunked by more scientific information and studies.

Vaccines can possibly have an adverse reaction in some people, but the percentage is very low compared to the number receiving the vaccine.

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Behodar

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#3431141 5-Nov-2025 09:57

Scott3:

But generally you can not get measles twice, not sure what is going on with that...

There are probably some oddities, for example someone at work got something (can't remember what), and the doctor said "and about a month after you recover from this, you're going to get chickenpox." "But I've already had it." "You're going to get it again." He did.

As for me, I had both MMR vaccines when I was a kid, and according to my doctor that's still enough. I'm in my 40s now.

wellygary

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#3431142 5-Nov-2025 09:57

cddt:

I feel for those with children who are too young to be immunised.

We had a newborn during the 2019 outbreak and avoided a lot of public places in order to try and protect her.

Yeah, this should be front and centre of the publicity, measles is generally not fatal for adults or older children, but for the very young it can be deadly,

Herd immunity is all about protecting those that cannot be vaccinated by breaking transmission chains before it can get into places like pre schools and day-cares....

johno1234

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#3431143 5-Nov-2025 10:03

I'm a '64 so presumably immune.

I am pretty sure I had chickenpox as a kid so am a candidate for shingles though. Have not had the immunisation for that as it is quite expensive and will get it free on turning 65. That's a bit of a risk that I can't really make my mind up on.

k1w1k1d

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#3431167 5-Nov-2025 11:00

I had chicken pox as a kid and got the shingles vaccine at 65 but still got a very slight case earlier this year. Just a few places on my legs.

Vaccine doesn't always prevent shingles, but as in my case it lessens the severity.

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