Patients with Suspected or Symptomatic Measles

Please Do Not Refer Patients to Pathlab with Suspected or Symptomatic Measles

To protect both patients and staff, any patient suspected of having measles or presenting with measles-like symptoms must not be referred to a Pathlab collection facilities for specimen collection.

Patients suspected of measles should not attend community collection rooms, as this presents a significant transmission risk in shared waiting areas.

If Measles Testing Is Clinically Indicated

Please refer to the Health New Zealand (HNZ) and Ministry of Health (MoH) guidance for safe specimen collection and transport.

• Arrange for specimen collection in a controlled or isolated clinical environment, such as within your practice under infection control precautions, or a hospital isolation area.
• Clearly label specimens as “Suspected Measles” to ensure appropriate handling.

Reminder

Pathlab collection facilities are not equipped to isolate or manage potentially infectious patients.

We appreciate your assistance in maintaining a safe environment for both patients and staff by ensuring that suspected measles cases are not directed to community collection sites.

Thank you for your co-operation and ongoing support.