Travellers are being asked to watch out for mumps symptoms after an infectious case flew to Aotearoa.
Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand urged anyone who was on recent flights from Chennai, India, to Singapore, to Auckland to be alert.
Symptoms can include swollen glands, headaches, jaw pain, a dry mouth, and loss of appetite or nausea.
The two flights are:
(1) March 13:
Singapore Airlines (SQ0529) Chennai to Singapore
- Departure: 11:15pm (IST)
- Arrival: 5:28am (GMT+8)
(2) March 14:
Singapore Airlines (SQ0281) Singapore to Auckland
- Departure: 8:45am
- Arrival: 11:35pm (NZ time)
Dr Susan Jack, clinical director of the National Public Health Service, said mumps spreads "very easily" between people.
"The initial symptoms of mumps, such as fever, headache and tiredness, are similar to many other illnesses," she said.
"Pain, swelling and tenderness (sore to touch) of the cheek and jaw area develop a few days after the other symptoms."
It can take up to 25 days to develop symptoms after coming into contact with a person with mumps.
"This means that anyone who travelled on the same international flights as the case could start to develop symptoms any time from now, through until about the 8th of April, so it's important to stay vigilant."
The infectious person, a Kiwi, has recovered after being diagnosed on Friday. They did not know they were infectious while travelling.
Passengers on those two flights should monitor for mumps symptoms. Stay home if feeling unwell, and call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116.
How does mumps spread?
Mumps is caused by a tiny virus (paramyxoviridae) that can spread through the air and saliva.
You can be contagious without showing any symptoms.
It can be transmitted when people talk, breathe, cough, sneeze, kiss, or share food and drinks.
Dr Jack said the best form of defence against mumps is to get two doses of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella).
"It's really important that people make sure they're up to date with their immunisations, particularly when travelling."
