More measles cases detected in Australia

Health authorities are urging Sydneysiders and Canberrans to be looking out for indicators of measles after a case was confirmed in a global traveller.

The case is an grownup who had been coming back from India, the place measles outbreaks have been occurring in latest weeks.

Those who had been on Air India flight AI 302 from Delhi to Sydney on January 20 at 8.10am or within the International Arrivals space of Sydney Airport are urged to observe for signs because of the contagious case.

The individual additionally boarded a Murrays Bus from Sydney to Canberra about 10.30am on the identical day, with those that had been on that bus to be contacted by well being authorities.

They then attended the Canberra Hospital Emergency Department between 4pm on January 21 and 1.10pm the subsequent day.

The areas not pose a danger to the general public, however NSW Health’s director of communicable illness Dr Christine Selvey urges anybody who may have been uncovered to the extremely infectious illness.

“Symptoms may appear between 7 and 18 days after an exposure, so it’s important for people to stay vigilant if they’ve been exposed, and if they develop symptoms, to please call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients,“ Dr Selvey said.

“Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body,“ Dr Selvey said.

The case acquired the infection on the recent trip overseas, according to ACT chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman.

“ACT Health is currently investigating a case of measles and can confirm, at this time, there have been no further linked cases,” Dr Coleman mentioned.

Health authorities are additionally urging these born in or after 1996 to make sure they’ve had two doses of measles vaccine.

“Measles is a serious disease and is highly contagious among people who are not fully immunised,” Dr Coleman mentioned.

“Whenever a case of measles is identified in our community, it is a strong reminder that the best way to protect yourself and your family against measles is vaccination.

“If you’re not sure if you’ve received two doses of the vaccine, there’s no harm in getting a third dose to make sure you have the best protection from measles.”

Originally printed as Measles alert for Sydney and Canberra after worldwide traveller returns with illness

Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au