Northland woman with measles in intensive care

A woman is in an intensive care unit in Whangarei Hospital after contracting measles.

The woman was not vaccinated and became seriously ill after returning from a trip to the Philippines.

Her doctors told Newshub the woman is still in intensive care, in a stable condition.

She was reportedly admitted to hospital because of complications with measles, including seizures and swelling of the brain.

Concerningly, she had been in contact with more than 100 people at a netball tournament at Kensington Stadium in Whangarei two Fridays ago.

Health authorities are very concerned. Northland's medical officer of health says this is a significant case.

The immunisation rate in Northland is one of the lowest in the country, and this comes at a time when several DHBs around the country are dealing with an official measles outbreak.

There have been 149 reported cases of measles across New Zealand.

Doctors are warning that measles is a serious disease, and this case highlights those concerns.

They are urging people to check they are immunised.

Newshub.