Public Health South Main Block, Level 2, Wakari Hospital Taieri Road, Dunedin Private Bag 1921, Dunedin

9054 Tel: 03 476 9800 Fax: 03 476 9858

28 September 2011 Update to Otago and Southland schools and early childhood care providers

Measles and pertussis (whooping cough). As you may have heard in the media, there are increased numbers of measles and whooping cough cases in certain parts of New Zealand. To date, there have been no confirmed cases of measles or whooping cough in Otago. ALL cases of measles and whooping cough will be notified to Public Health South, and if the case is connected to your school/early childhood centre, you will receive a call from Public Health South. It is important that only accurate and verified information gets disseminated in the community, and schools and early childhood centres play important roles: If you hear a rumour that someone within your school/ECC has either measles or whooping cough, and even if a parent tells you their child has one of these diseases, please phone Public Health South first to have the information verified. Only then should you inform the rest of your school/ECC community of the presence of the disease. Some parents may self-diagnose their children, or misinterpret what their doctor tells them, and passing non-verified information onto other parents can lead to undue anxiety. Should there be any confirmed cases of measles and/or whooping cough in Otago, you will be informed through the usual channels. If you have any questions in the meantime, please phone your public health nurse. Yours sincerely Medical Officers of Health Otago / Southland Public Health South