Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes. Photo: iStock.
Active measles cases have been in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands this month.
NSW Health has advised there is a risk of measles infection for people who have been in the same location as someone with measles, and with 14 cases already this year, there’s a large number of those.
Those with compromised immune systems, those who haven’t had the measles before, those who haven’t been vaccinated against the measles, pregnant women and infants are particularly at risk.
In the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands the affected locations (with times) are as follows.
Blue Jay Cafe in Albion Park on Wednesday 11 February from 11:05 – 11:50 am.
Bean Roasted Espresso Bar in Calderwood on Wednesday 11 February from 10:55 – 11:35 am.
Robertson Supermarket and Bottleshop on Tuesday 10 February from 2:20 – 2:50 pm.
Southern Rise Bakery in Robertson on Tuesday 10 February from 1:40 – 2:40 pm.
Fitzroy Falls Souvenir Shop on Tuesday 10 February from 1 – 1:40 pm.
Fitzroy Falls on Tuesday 10 February from 12:25 – 1:45 pm.
People who have visited any of these locations on the dates and at the times above are advised to monitor for symptoms for 18 days after visiting the location.
Symptoms to watch for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough. This is usually followed three to four days later by a red, blotchy rash that starts on the head and face then spreads down the body.
Seek medical care if symptoms develop. Call ahead to your doctor or health service (including the emergency department) to let them know that you may have come into contact with measles and wear a face mask when you go.
Contact your local Public Health Unit by calling 1300 066 055 if you think you have been exposed and you know you are unvaccinated and it has been less than three days since your exposure, or if you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system, or have an infant who was exposed and it has been less than six days since the exposure.
While rare, immune people may develop a mild illness.
A NSW Health spokesperson said there were four new cases across the state, and three of the cases had not travelled overseas and acquired their infection in NSW.
Two of these locally-acquired cases have a link to earlier NSW cases and the source of the third remains under investigation.
The fourth case is a returned traveller from South East Asia, where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles.
Additional exposure sites including locations in northern, south-eastern, and south-western Sydney, western NSW and the mid north coast are available here.
Dr Christine Selvey, Director of Communicable Diseases NSW, said people should monitor for symptoms of measles, particularly if they had visited any of the exposure locations at the listed time.
Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes.
Anyone with early symptoms who gets a rash a few days later should also think about measles, even if they haven’t attended one of the identified locations, and seek testing.
“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms for this period,” Dr Selvey said.
“We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough.
“This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious.
“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine.
“This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.”
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective, and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age.
It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses.
Children under the age of 12 months can have their first dose of MMR up to six months early if they are travelling overseas. Parents should consult their GP.
