Aussies warned to monitor for measles symptoms after risk of infection

Health authorities are warning Australians to monitor for measles symptoms after an infectious person travelled to several locations across NSW.

NSW Health confirmed the person recently returned from South-East Asia, where there have been ongoing outbreaks of the highly contagious disease in several countries.

The traveller had the measles when they went to the beach, shopping, and camping in regional and urban areas of NSW between December 16 and 18.

Executive Director of Health Protection NSW Jeremy McAnulty urged people to watch for any signs or symptoms of the disease.

“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,” he 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 January 5 in the new year.”

Dr McAnulty implored people to remain up to date with their vaccinations and remain protected against the highly contagious disease.

He said the warning is particularly important for anyone travelling overseas, as measles outbreaks have been detected in various parts of the world.

The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is free for children at 12 and 18 months old, as well as for NSW residents born after 1965 who haven’t had two doses.

Children under 12 months old can have their first dose of the vaccine up to three months earlier if they are travelling to areas where measles has been detected.

People who are unsure whether they have had two doses are encouraged to get the vaccine to be sure, as additional doses are safe.

The measles vaccine is available from general practitioners for everyone and from pharmacies for children over five years old.

People who attended the following locations on the specified dates are urged to watch for symptoms:

Monday, December 16

• Byron Bay Beach, between 9.00am and 12.00pm
• United Petroleum, 2910 Pacific Highway, Mullaway
• Coffs Central Shopping Centre, Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour
• Woolworths, 7 Park Avenue, Coffs Harbour, between 4.40pm and 5.15pm
• Wingham Riverside Reserve camping site, from 5.30pm

Tuesday, December 17

• Newcastle Bogey Hole pool
• The Grand Hotel, 32 Church Street, Newcastle
• Woolworths, 23 Steel Street, Newcastle West
• McDonalds Liverpool Mega Centre, Orange Grove Road, Liverpool
• BP Truck stop, 155 Pennant Hills Road, Normanhurst
• Bungonia Campground, Bungonia Access Road, Bungonia, from 5.00pm

Wednesday, December 18

• Coles Express, corner of Mount Street and Middle Street, Gundagai

According to the World Health Organisation, measles can cause severe illness, complications and even death.

The disease affects the respiratory tract before spreading through the body, and it is transmitted when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent contracting or passing on measles.

The WHO estimates the measles vaccine averted more than 60 million deaths between 2000 and 2023.