Wellington, July 23 NZPA - The number of children with measles in Canterbury has continued to rise, with 62 now infected.

Another seven children were today confirmed as having measles, Canterbury medical officer of health Ramon Pink said.

Out of the 62 suspected or confirmed cases in Canterbury since the outbreak began in June, 39 had been confirmed as measles.

The outbreak had spread to seven high schools, four intermediate schools, seven primary schools and nine early childhood centres in Canterbury, Dr Pink said.

Half of all the children who had contracted measles since the outbreak began were not immunised.

"Our investigations have excluded that a defective batch of measles vaccine was a cause of this outbreak.

"We are now investigating other reasons why children who have been immunised may have still caught measles," Dr Pink said.

Most of the sick children are aged between 11 and 16.

It was vital parents kept their children at home if they had measles, as it was a highly contagious disease.

It was also important parents checked their children's immunisations were up to date, Dr Pink said.

Children should receive two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella vaccination, at 15 months and four-years-old.

However, children and teenagers who had not received their vaccinations on time could still be immunised, Dr Pink said. NZPA WGT rf mgr kn