Department of Health
Territorians are being reminded to ensure they are fullyimmunised against measles before travelling over the school holiday period, ascases are currently present in Australia and much of the rest of the world.
No matter where you plan to travel it is important to beimmunised against measles as it is a highly infectious, yet preventabledisease, said Dr Vicki Krause, Director of Centre for DiseaseControl.
Unprotected people can become easily infected bysimply walking through a shopping centre or airport where someone has thedisease or by sitting next to someone who does not yet have symptoms but iscapable of spreading the disease.
If you have not had two measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)vaccines or you are unsure, it is time to get a MMR vaccine. You will beprotecting yourself or your child against a serious disease and also protectingthose in the community who may not be able to be vaccinated.
Thesymptoms of measles are fever, cough, runny nose and sore eyes, which usuallyoccur 7-10 days after exposure to a case, followed a few days later by a redblotchy rash, which often starts on the face and then becomes widespread overthe body.
Dontlet illness ruin your holiday. Be up to date with your vaccinations. Measles vaccines are free. Talk to your doctor or vaccine provider for moreinformation.
