NSW Health isagain alerting passengers following ACT Health confirming measles in atraveller who transited through Sydney Airport.
ACT Healthadvise that the passenger became unwell prior to leaving Pakistan, so others onthe flight or at the airport at the same time may have been exposed to theinfection.
The passenger was infectious onflight QR906 from Doha to Sydney departing Doha on Saturday 2 February andarriving at Sydney International Airport at 6:25 am on Sunday 3 February. Thepassenger was then in the international transit lounge until approximately 9ambefore taking flight QR906 to Canberra.
Passengers on this flight andpeople in Sydney International Airport transit lounge at the same time areadvised to watch for signs and symptoms of measles until 21 February.
The time fromexposure to the onset of symptoms is from a week to 18 days. These sites do notpose any ongoing risk to the public.
“If you develop symptoms pleasecall ahead to your GP so you do not wait in the waiting room with otherpatients,” Director Communicable Diseases Branch Director, Dr Vicky Sheppeard,said.
“The measles-mumps-rubellavaccine is safe and effective protection against measles. It is free for anyonein NSW born during or after 1966 who hasn’t already had two doses. If you’reunsure whether you’ve had two doses, it’s quite safe to have another.”
Outbreaks of measles in populartourist destinations means the risk for measles being imported into Australiaat the moment is high. NSW Health urges people travelling to South and SouthEast Asia, where measles is prevalent, to ensure they are fully vaccinatedbefore heading overseas.
Measles is highlycontagious and is spread in the air through coughing or sneezing by someone whois unwell with the disease.
Symptoms include fever, sore eyesand a cough followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash spreadingfrom the head and neck to the rest of the body. More information on measles: health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/measles/Pages/default.aspx
