Nearly 40 people in Auckland have recently been diagnosed with the infectious measles disease.
Westlake Boys High School on Aucklands North Shore is one of the hardest hit communities with 20 ill students.
Several other Westlake Boys High pupils who have not been immunised against measles have been asked to stay away for the next two weeks.
Measles is a very serious disease that is highly contagious and can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The symptoms include fever, a cough, sore eyes and a rash. There is no treatment, and complications can be severe.
The Auckland Health Service has estimated that around 750 people are at immediate risk of catching the highly contagious disease.
Dr.
Julia Peters said the Health Service had been working with the North
Shore school for just over a week when the first case of measles was
found there.
"This is definitely more than what we'd normally see. We're working hard to contain the measles within the Auckland region."
Dr.
Peters said many people who had come down with the disease had recently
been overseas and, in particular, in the Philippines.
The
public health service has sent information to parents and students at
Westlake Boys High and asked that those students who are not sure
whether they have been immunised against measles to stay away.
"What we're trying to do is isolate those students as well as those who have measles, because students who are not immunised can get sick," she said.
Another seven cases of measles in Auckland are being investigated - three of them from the same school.
What to watch for Symptoms
* High fever.
* Runny nose, cough, red eyes.
* Small white spots inside mouth.
* Red, blotchy rash on face and neck and later over entire body.
WALT: Analysing an article
Task: Answer questions based on a Newspaper Article.
Success Criteria:
Show critical thinking in your answers.
Answer questions in full sentences.
Use correct spelling and punctuation.
1) How do people contract measles? People contract the measles by coughing and sneezing it on to other people, It is also contagious a disease to spread in such a way.
2) Why do you think so many students at Westlake High School have contracted measles? I think they have got the measles because other people that have the measles have coughed and sneezed on other people. The people that have the measles need to be careful around other kids.
3) What is the Auckland Health Services main role in this measles outbreak?What they are trying to do is contain the measles so other people can't get it.
4) In the article Dr.
Peters said “many people who had come down with the disease had
recently been overseas and, in particular, in the Philippines.” Why do you think this is? I think that someone had it from Philippines and came to new Zealeand. If I had it I would have a hanky or a tissues in my pocket.
5) In your opinion what would be the best way to avoid getting measles? If someone was going to cough or sneezes I'm going to go away so I don't get it.
Use the following criteria to assess yourself and your peer
Show critical thinking in your answers.
Answer questions in full sentences.
Use correct spelling and punctuation.
Self Assessment:
Peer Assessment: I think Sophie did a good job because she describe how she could help and what she can do to stop it. I think she could improve on making some of her sentence longer so it explains more.
