Auckland’s in a bit of a pickle, folks. A Fullers360 ferry crew member is at the heart of a fresh measles scare, confirmed by the company itself. Alerts are flying left and right after a new measles case popped up today, urging Aucklanders to rack their brains and figure out if they could have possibly been exposed to the virus. Health New Zealand spilled the beans that this case has ties to international travel, with the infected individual making stops at Woolworths Kelston, Fullers360 ferries, and an Auckland carpark during their contagious window. It seems like this person caught the measles bug while gallivanting around Asia, but luckily for us, they weren’t infectious yet when they hopped on a flight back to New Zealand. Phew!
The infected person and their household are getting all the support they need, with some of them even put on quarantine duty to prevent the disease from spreading like wildfire. Fullers360 spilled the tea in a statement, revealing that the crew member in question was on their team. Those who may have rubbed shoulders with this crew member are getting a little heads up from Health New Zealand, who are holding their hands through any necessary steps.
Auckland Transport chimed in, mentioning that they got the heads up from Fullers early Sunday evening. They’re not really expecting any disruptions to sailings on Monday, though. The Downtown Carpark on Customs Street, also on the radar as a potential exposure site, is managed by AT. They’re planning to have a chat with the staff on Monday to suss out who might have been in the danger zone. They’re also in cahoots with HNZ to pinpoint which spots in the carpark could spell trouble, considering there are various staircases and lifts to navigate in that building. AT’s got a to-do list lined up for the week, reminding their staff about the importance of getting the measles jab.
Measles is no joke, folks. It’s one of the most contagious diseases out there and can have some serious long-term consequences. Some experts even say it can be fatal, especially for the little ones. The virus can hang around in the air long after the infected person has left the building. About 10 percent of those who contract measles end up needing hospital care, while a whopping 90 percent of non-immune folks who come into contact with it are likely to catch the bug. Yikes!
New Zealand’s vaccination rates have been on a bit of a downward spiral since the whole Covid-19 rollercoaster started. Experts are waving red flags, urging parents to get their kids vaccinated before an epidemic rears its ugly head. It’s like a ticking time bomb, just waiting for the right conditions to explode. Scary stuff, right?
If you were in Auckland and happened to swing by these spots during the specified times, it’s time to check your vaccine status and keep an eye out for any symptoms. Woolworths Kelston on May 3 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm is on the watchlist, with Health NZ warning that anyone who was there might have been exposed. The Auckland Downtown Carpark on Custom Street on May 5 from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm and 11 pm to midnight is another potential hotspot. Health NZ is especially worried about those who used the stairs at certain times or were in the lifts during the late-night hour.
Various Fullers360 ferry sailings on May 5 were also in the crosshairs. If you were on these sailings, keep a lookout for symptoms, especially if you made a pit stop at the toilets. The list includes sailings like Auckland to Half Moon Bay at 4:15 pm, Half Moon Bay to Auckland at 5:00 pm, Auckland to Half Moon Bay at 5:40 pm, and a few others. Better safe than sorry, right?
Measles symptoms can be a real pain, with fever, coughing, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body. If you’re not sure about your vaccine status, My Health Record or your healthcare provider can lend a hand. The Vaccination Helpline is also open for business, ready to check records for the young ones. Stay vigilant, folks, and keep those vaccines up to date. It’s better to be safe than sorry!