Dear whānau and friends
Yesterday schools received from the Medical Officer of Health this update about Measles.
Public Health South (PHS) is updating schools and Early Childhood Education Centres on the measles outbreak in the Southern District.
There have been no new confirmed measles cases this week. The total number of Southern DHB cases remains at 71.
Total cases for each location to date is:
Dunedin: 2
Oamaru: 1
Wanaka: 3
Queenstown: 64
Gore: 1
The Southern DHB is expecting a delivery of 3,000 extra vaccines next week allowing a widening of priority groups for MMR vaccination.
In the Southern District Health Board region, the priority group for MMR vaccinations has been widened to include catch up MMR vaccinations for all children and young people up to the age of 18 years alongside routine vaccination at 15 months and 4 years.
Unvaccinated children as young as 6 months of age traveling to Auckland or another measles-affected location are also now eligible for MMR vaccination two weeks before traveling.
Primary care practices will be actively recalling those eligible, however, if you know your children are not fully vaccinated with two MMRs then please call your GP practice to make an appointment to be vaccinated.
Immunisation against measles with two doses of MMR vaccine is the best protection and is free for all eligible people. With schools being back in session, we need your help to prevent further transmission of the measles virus.
Public Health South advises that immunisation is the best protection against measles.
Immunisation is safe, effective and free.
Measles is serious and highly infectious viral disease that causes fever, cough, sore red eyes and a rash. It can make people very sick. People with measles can be infectious even before they start feeling unwell. While almost all people will make a complete recovery, it can lead to hospitalisation and in rare cases, death.
Parents/guardians need to find out whether their children are protected against measles.
Regarding your child’s immunisation status:
- If your child has not received their measles immunisation (MMR vaccine) as per the Immunisation Schedule (1st MMR at 15 months and 2nd MMR at four years), call your GP as soon as possible. Arrange a time to immunise your child as it is never too late.
- Infants and children who are not travelling to Auckland or overseas to a country with a measles outbreak are recommended to get their MMR vaccinations as per the Immunisation Schedule at 15 months and 4 years.
- Infants aged 6 to 11 months who are travelling to Auckland or overseas to a country with a measles outbreak, can have their first MMR vaccination (MMR0) after consulting with their GP, however they will still need to have the MMR vaccinations at 15 months and four years as per the Immunisation Schedule.
- Infants aged 12 to 14 months who are travelling to Auckland or overseas to a country with a measles outbreak, should receive all four 15 month vaccinations (MMR, varicella, Hib and PCV10) at least two weeks before travelling to allow immunity against measles to develop.
- If your child has received only one measles immunisation (i.e. one MMR vaccination), call your GP as soon as possible to see if you need to arrange a time to immunise your child with their second MMR. Two measles immunisations provide better protection than one.
- If your child has received two measles immunisations, or they have definitely had doctor-diagnosed measles infection in the past, they are considered protected. Over 99% of people who are fully immunised are protected from measles.
- If you are not sure of your child’s immunisation records, look in your child’s Plunket/Well Child Tamariki Ora book or check with your GP.
- If your child is not immune or you choose not to immunise your child, they are not protected from measles. If they come into contact with someone with measles, they will likely have to be excluded from school or ECEC for up to 14 days.
Signs of measles
It usually takes 10 to 14 days for someone who has caught measles to start showing symptoms.
If your child develops a high fever, runny nose, cough, sore red eyes, or a rash see a doctor (call ahead to alert your doctor about the possibility of measles before visiting and take this letter along).
If your child has a weakened immune system (e.g. if they have an inherited immune problem or are receiving chemotherapy for cancer), please contact your doctor to discuss further.
If this occurs: Call your GP or Healthline (0800 611 116) as soon as possible for advice. Your GP will advise the safest time for your child to return to school. If your GP suspects measles, they will arrange for testing and Public Health South will be in contact to offer support and any follow up regarding contact tracing.
For more information about measles, contact Healthline on 0800 611 116 or visit https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/measles
            
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Additional messages from school......
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Ōpoho School Spring Fair
Last minute reminders.......
Helpers for stalls still needed. Go to the sign up sheet or email andrea.l.clarke@gmail.com
BAKING - Please send baking to school in the morning if possible; or by the end of school day if the morning isn't possible.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday.
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Creekfest
The Creek Fest is on Sunday, 17th November from 11am-3pm.
Volunteers are needed to run the games stall. There are fun old fashioned games like strength tester, magnetic fishing... You just need to supervise to ensure the games are being looked after as they are quite old!
If you can help for 30-60 mins at this stall, please let Kaitrin McMullan know by emailed her: storykaitrin@xtra.co.nz
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2020 NASEBY FAMILY WEEKEND
Ōpoho School Naseby Families and Friends weekend 2020, 21st and 22nd February,
is a fun and informal weekend for children and parents to enjoy themselves in a safe and friendly environment. Cabins and tent sites are available. For bookings call 03 444 9904 Larchview Holiday Park, Naseby.
This has become an ‘Ōpoho School’ community tradition - new families are welcome.
Come for as little or as much of the weekend as you like - walks, biking and relaxing in the quaint and historic village and a lovely way to get to know each other better.
I recommend you book sooner rather than later if you are wanting a cabin!
The cabins have been blocked out online so that they can be reserved for school families.
If you want to book a cabin you should email the camping ground team at bookings@nasebyHP.nz and they’ll book a cabin in for you.
Lucy Marr (on behalf of PTA)
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Term Dates for 2020
Term 1: 3rd February - 9th April
Term 2: 28th April - 3 July
Term 3: 20 July - 25 September
Term 4: 12 October - 16th December (end date to be confirmed)
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