NSW Health is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of one confirmed case who was infectious while visiting several locations in south western Sydney.
The case is a young child who recently returned from the Middle East, where there have been outbreaks of measles in several countries. The child was not considered to be infectious on the flight into Sydney.
People who attended the following locations should watch for the development of symptoms:
- Bankstown TAFE playgroup on Tuesday 14 May between 10.00am and 12.15pm
- Your Discount Chemist, Boronia Rd, Greenacre, on Saturday 18 May between 1.45pm and 2.30pm.
NSW Health will be contacting individuals that attended either of these medical centres at these times:
- Greenacre Medical Centre, 168 Waterloo Rd, Greenacre, on Saturday 18 May between 12.00pm and 2.30pm.
- Yagoona Family HealthCare, 457 Hume Hwy, Yagoona, on Monday 20 May between 12.30pm and 2pm.
- South Western Sydney Local Health District Director of Public Health, Dr Mitchell Smith, said people who visited the above locations should be on the lookout for symptoms.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body,” Dr Smith said.
“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 up until Friday 7 June.
“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.
“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 three months earlier if they are travelling to areas with a high risk for measles. Parents should consult their GP.
People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age).
