The South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) public health unit is asking people to watch for measles symptoms after being notified today that a man who recently returned from overseas has been diagnosed with the infection.
The man, who developed measles shortly after returning from Thailand, was in the following locations and on public transport while infectious:
- Liverpool Centrelink on Tuesday, 18 September
- Bus on Tuesday, 18 September to and from Carnes Hill Marketplace and Liverpool
- Liverpool Westfield on Tuesday, 18 September
- Ingleburn Centrelink on Wednesday, 19 September
- Coles Ingleburn on Wednesday, 19 September
- Liverpool Hospital Emergency Department on Tuesday, 25 September
Anyone who was on the buses or at the locations during the time periods and who develops measles-like symptoms should consult their GP immediately, says Dr Naru Pal, the director of public health at SWSLHD.
“Anyone with concerns is advised to call their medical practice first, to ensure that arrangements can be made to keep them away from others and minimise the risk of infection.’’
Measles is highly contagious and are spread in the air through coughing or sneezing by someone who is unwell with the disease.
The time from exposure to onset of symptoms is generally about 10 days, but can be as long as 18 days.
Symptoms include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash spreading from the head and neck to the rest of the body.
“Vaccination is the best protection against measles and we encourage everyone to check their immunisation status to reduce their risk of acquiring the disease,’’ says Dr Naru Pal.
NSW Health offers free MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine through GPs for people with no records of having received two doses of MMR vaccine.
For young children, the measles vaccine is recommended at 12 months and again at 18 months of age.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are required to provide lifelong protection.
People who travel overseas should also ensure they are fully vaccinated against measles.
Protecting children from potentially deadly diseases is a key priority for the NSW Government, which has invested approximately $130 million in the 2018-19 Immunisation Program budget, including Commonwealth and state vaccines.
The latest Annual Immunisation Coverage Report shows vaccination rates in NSW are at their highest level ever, with more than 94 per cent of five year olds vaccinated against measles.
NSW children at one and five years of age have some of the highest measles vaccine uptake in Australia, boosted by programs such as:
- Save the Date app campaign ($5.5 million invested since 2013)
- Aboriginal Immunisation Health Worker program ($1.3 million annually)
- New NSW Government laws that came in on January 1 preventing parents who object to vaccination from enrolling their children in preschools and early childhood centres.
For more information on measles, go to www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/Measles_Factsheet.aspx
If you are concerned you may be at risk of measles, contact SWSLHD public health unit on 1300 066 055.
