Crossing the ditch for the school holidays? Or perhaps heading to the Pacific for some sunshine?

Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora is reminding New Zealanders that with measles outbreaks happening in many popular holiday destinations – including Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Thailand and India – if you aren’t fully protected, you are at high risk of catching the disease and bringing it back to our shores.

Acting National Public Health Service clinical director protection Dr Matthew Reid said while there were no measles cases in New Zealand at present, we are at high risk of an outbreak due to the rapid rise in measles cases abroad and low vaccination rates.

It’s also a timely reminder that with mosquito-borne diseases circulating in several Pacific Island countries, including Tonga, Fiji, French Polynesia and Indonesia, travellers should take precautions to avoid contracting viruses such as dengue and zika.

“We know that with school, Easter and Anzac public holidays all taking place this month, many people will be looking forward to a well-deserved extended break.

“But we’re urging anyone who is travelling overseas to ensure the whole whānau are fully protected against measles before they set off. If heading to the Pacific, that means also taking precautions against mosquito-borne viruses.

“Measles is our most contagious disease and can make people so sick they need to be hospitalised. The good news is that measles is almost completely preventable through vaccination. Anyone who plans to travel overseas, especially to countries with outbreaks, should get vaccinated if you haven’t already.”

The measles vaccine was introduced in 1969, but the more protective two-dose programme wasn’t introduced to New Zealand until the 1990s.

People born between 1969 and 2004 are advised to talk to their healthcare provider to check their immunisation status and to get vaccinated before they travel.

Migrants to New Zealand may have also missed out on the full two doses of the measles vaccine.

“If you’re not immune to measles or you’re not sure if you’ve had two doses of the vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated.

“It is safe to have extra doses of the MMR vaccine, even if you are already protected.”

The MMR vaccine is free for everyone under 18 regardless of visa status. If you’re over 18, the vaccine is free if you’re eligible for free healthcare in New Zealand. The vaccine is safe and effective. After two doses, 99% of people are protected from measles.

Reid said people travelling to the Pacific Islands should also safeguard against infection from viruses such as dengue, zika and chikungunya, which are spread by infected mosquitoes.

“If you’re travelling outside New Zealand to an area with these diseases, you can protect yourself by wearing protective clothing, using mosquito repellent and staying or sleeping in well-screened locations or under mosquito nets.”