SA Health has been notified of three cases of measles in teenagers from South Australia linked to the previous case reported last week. The teenagers have been in the following locations while infectious and people in these settings at the specified times may have been exposed and therefore at risk of developing measles.
- Kmart Westfield Marion, 297 Diagonal and sturt Roads, Oaklands Park, on Monday 21 September from 3:15pm to 7:00pm and Friday 18 September from 1:30pm to 6:00pm.
- Morphett Vale Stadium, Sports Park Drive, Morphett Vale, on Saturday 19 September from 2:40pm to 5:00 pm.
- Brighton Secondary School, 305 Brighton Road, North Brighton on Friday 18 September from 9:00am to 3:00pm
- El Mexicano Restaurant, 144A King William Road, Hyde Park on Thursday 17 September from 6:30pm to 9:00pm.
- St Louis café, 185 King William Road, Hyde Park, on Thursday 17 September from 8:30 pm to 9:30pm.
- Costco Wholesale Adelaide, 404-406 Churchill Road, Kilburn on Thursday 17 September from 1:30pm to 3:15 pm and
- Costco Petrol Station, 404-406 Churchill Road, Kilburn on Thursday 17 September from 2:45pm to 3:35pm
These exposure sites may be extended. For a complete list see www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/healthalerts
SA Health advises anyone who isn’t fully immunised, and was in the locations at the times listed above, to be alert for symptoms over the next few weeks and to see a doctor if they become ill.
Measles is a highly contagious serious infection which can be associated with complications which can be severe including pneumonia and encephalitis.
Symptoms of measles start with fever, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes, followed by a blotchy rash which usually begins on the head and then spreads down the body.
It is very important that people suspecting measles phone their doctor before any visit and mention why they are attending, so precautions can be taken to avoid spreading disease to others.
This is the eighth case of measles notified in South Australia this year. There were seven cases of measles notified in total in South Australia last year.
The best way to avoid measles is vaccination, with two doses needed to provide the best protection. Measles vaccination is on the National Immunisation Program for children at 12 months and 18 months of age.
South Australia now funds measles vaccine for adults born during or after 1966 who have not received two doses, and children aged six months to less than 12 months who are travelling overseas. All South Australians are encouraged to check their vaccination records, and request the vaccine, if there is no record of them receiving two doses, and they were born in Australia during or after 1966.
