AKIPRESS.COM - New Zealand's ongoing measles outbreak has hit the milestone of more than 1,000 confirmed cases, BBC reports.

A total of 1,051 people were affected between 1 January and 5 September, 2019, the ministry of health said.

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially fatal illness that causes coughing, rashes and fever.

Although effective and safe vaccination is available, some developed countries have seen a measles resurgence in past years.

Worldwide, the number of cases has quadrupled in the first three months of 2019 compared with the same time last year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).