A well being chief has urged Aussies planning on abroad journey to make sure they’re updated with vaccinations after NSW just lately recorded two new circumstances of measles from travellers getting back from Bali.
Earlier this month, residents on NSW’s Mid North Coast have been placed on excessive alert after an contaminated particular person attended a collection of occasions, together with two junior AFL video games in Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga.
In February, an contaminated traveller who flew from Jakarta to the ACT, and through the Sydney worldwide and home airports, additionally triggered an pressing well being alert.
Five measles alerts have been issued by NSW Health in 2023, with nearly all of circumstances linked to abroad travellers.
Similar incidents have additionally been reported in South Australia, Victoria and Queensland this 12 months, resulting in a flurry of well being alerts.
The virus can also be frequent in nations just like the Philippines, India, Indonesia (together with Bali), Vietnam, Thailand and elements of the Middle East and Africa.
According to the World Health Organisation, Indonesia has reported a major enhance in suspected and confirmed measles circumstances up to now 12 months.
A complete of 2161 suspected circumstances have been detected between January 1 and April 3 this 12 months, with 4845 laboratory-confirmed circumstances reported in 2022. In 2018, solely 920 circumstances have been reported throughout the whole 12 months.
NSW Health communicable illnesses department director Christine Selvey stated anybody not vaccinated was prone to catching the extremely infectious illness.
“Measles can be very severe and people with measles often require hospitalisation; however, it is almost completely preventable through vaccination,” Dr Selvey stated.
She additionally urged returning travellers who developed signs to instantly contact their GP for testing, particularly in the event that they’ve just lately returned from a high-risk areas resembling southeast or southern Asia, and Africa.
“Travellers who develop symptoms should call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they don’t wait in the waiting room with other patients,” she added.
Initial measles signs can manifest as a fever, runny nostril, cough and conjunctivitis earlier than a affected person is more likely to develop a blotchy rash.
The pores and skin situation seems three to 4 days after the preliminary signs happen and usually begins on the face earlier than spreading to the remainder of the physique.
Measles is a extremely infectious airborne virus and may end up in severe problems like pneumonia (lung an infection) and encephalitis (irritation of the mind).
Vaccination is taken into account one of the best type of safety and may be administered in infants from six months of age.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is free for folks born after 1966 and may be obtained from a GP or a pharmacy for folks over 12 years of age.
Source: www.news.com.au
