New measles alert for country NSW

Two new casesof measles have been reported in Western NSW, both with links to a recent measlescase in Dubbo imported from New Zealand. This brings the total number of cases in NSWto 40 since Christmas last year.

Both of the newcases were in young men who were unsure if they had been vaccinated againstmeasles in the past. They had visited a number of locations in Dubbo, Walgett,Parkes and Wagga Wagga while infectious:

  • DubboBase Hospital Emergency Department on Monday 29 April between 12:20pm and3:15pm
  • Woodhampetrol station, Walgett on Friday 26 April (in the afternoon) and Monday 29April (in the morning)
  • SubwayOrana Mall, Dubbo, at dinnertime on Friday 26 April
  • Cattleman’sMotel, Whylandra Street, Dubbo overnight on Friday 26 April and Sunday 28 April
  • BPpetrol station, Forbes Rd, Parkes on Saturday 27 April at lunchtime
  • BurringaMotel, Plumpton Rd, Wagga Wagga overnight on Saturday 27 April
  • WaggaWagga Boat Club, Plumpton Rd, Wagga Wagga on Saturday 27 April between 6:00pmand midnight.
  • McDonald’srestaurant, Fay Ave, Kooringal (Wagga Wagga) on Sunday 28 April in the morning
  • HolySpirit Aged Care, Tony McGrane Place, Dubbo on Sunday 28 April between 4:30pmand 5:30pm

NSW HealthDirector of Communicable Diseases Vicky Sheppeard said none of the locationsvisited by the men pose an ongoing risk.

However, peoplewho may be susceptible to measles and were at the same locations at the sametime as the men should be alert for signs and symptoms of measles until 18 May 2019,as it can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear following exposure to aperson with measles.

“Symptoms towatch out for include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed three or four dayslater by a red, spotty rash that spreads from the head to the rest of thebody,” Dr Sheppeard said.

Measles ishighly contagious and is spread in the air through coughing or sneezing bysomeone who is unwell with the disease.

“Anyone whodevelops symptoms of measles should phone their GP to ensure they don’t waitalongside other patients before seeing their doctor.”

“People bornbefore 1966 are likely to have had measles as a child and are consideredimmune. For people born during or after 1966, the best protection againstmeasles is receiving two doses of measles vaccine.”

“Themeasles-mumps-rubella vaccine is safe and provides effective protection againstmeasles,” she said.

“It’s free foranyone born during or after 1966 who hasn’t already had two doses. If you’reunsure whether you’ve had two doses, it’s safe to have another.”

While the riskof infection is low in fully-vaccinated people, health experts urge anyone whocomes into contact with someone who has measles to remain alert for symptoms.

Protectingchildren from potentially deadly diseases is a key priority for the NSWGovernment, which has invested approximately $130 million in the 2018-19Immunisation Program budget, including Commonwealth and state vaccines.

The latestAnnual Immunisation Coverage Report shows vaccination rates in NSW are at theirhighest level ever, with more than 95 per cent of five year olds vaccinatedagainst measles.

For moreinformation on measles visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/measles/Pages/key-facts.aspx

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