A fifth measles case has been confirmed in Canterbury.

A Rangiora pre-schooler is the latest to contract the disease.

Canterbury DHB yesterday confirmed a young woman had become the fourth person to contract measles since an outbreak was confirmed on Tuesday.

A teenage boy, man and woman, all of whom were not vaccinated, have also caught the disease.

Three of the four people live in, or have links to, the town of Rangiora and two were admitted to hospital.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Ramon Pink says it highlights the need for younger members of our community to have their scheduled vaccinations, and for whānau to be fully immunised.

Pink says as confirmed cases climb, so does the risk of un-immunised people contracting the disease.

People with symptoms or who believes they may have been exposed are urged to contact their GP.