NSW Health advises residents in the Coffs Harbour-Woolgoolga area of the Mid-North Coast to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles infection following diagnosis of the illness in an unvaccinated child in the area.
The child is likely to have acquired their infection following contact with a recently returned traveller from South East Asia.
The child spent time in Woolgoolga on Tuesday 28 August and the Coffs Harbour CBD on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 August. Details of specific exposure sites are provided below.
In a media release, Dr Paul Corben, Director of the North Coast Public Health Unit advised "anyone who was in these locations should watch for symptoms. As the investigation is ongoing, other places and times of potential exposure may be identified. People should be alert to symptoms until 17 September."
Dr Corben says it is important for people to see the GP if they have symptoms, and limit exposure to others until a diagnosis has been made.
NSW Health recommends people suffering symptoms of measles call ahead to the GP or ED they plan to visit, to advise them of their symptoms, so their exposure to others can be limited when they arrive.
Time period of concern: Tuesday 28 August - Thursday 30 August 2018.
People should remain alert for symptoms until 17 September 2018.
Woolgoolga town centre
Coffs Harbour Central Business District
CHC Medical Centre, 345 Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour between 1pm and 2:30pm
CHC Medical Centre, 345 Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour between 10:30am and 11:30am
NSW Health advises people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles infection after an infant travelling from overseas was diagnosed with the infection after an infant travelling from overseas was diagnosed with the infection.
The infant spent time in a number of public places, including popular Sydney tourist attractions, while infectious.
Time period of concern: Friday 17 August - Sunday 19 August 2018. People should be alert for symptoms until 6 September 2018.
NSW: Marayong, Blacktown, Circular Quay, Sydney CBD tourist attractions and Taronga Zoo, Jindabyne, Perisher Ski Resort, Marsden Park.
ACT: Canberra Centre.
Buses between Marayong and Blacktown Station
Trains between Blacktown and Circular Quay Station
Ferries between Circular Quay and Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo
Circular Quay
Sydney Opera House
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Darling Harbour
Chinatown
Siesta Villa, East Jindabyne
Jindabyne
Perisher Ski Resort
Shuttle bus to and from Perisher snowfields and car park
Perisher Centre Medical Aid Unit
Perisher Centre food court
Canberra Centre ( ACT*), Inc. Coles and PappaRich
Lindt Chocolate Factory, Marsden Park
* ACT residents can contact ACT Health on (02) 6205 1700 for more information.
Measles is highly contagious and is spread in the air through coughing or sneezing by someone who is unwell with the disease. The time from exposure to onset of symptoms is generally about 10 days, but can be as long as 18 days.
The first symptoms to look out for are fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes and feeling unwell. A rash appears a few days later.
Anyone born after 1966 who has not received two doses of measles containing vaccine is at risk of catching measles if exposed. People born in Australia before 1966 are generally considered to be immune, as measles was much more common during this time.
Measles vaccines are provided free to children at 12 months and 18 months of age as part of the National Immunisation Program.
People born between 1966 and 1994 should not assume they are fully protected against measles because changing vaccination schedules during this period may mean they have not received two doses of vaccine. People who are unsure if they have received two doses of a measles vaccine in the past can safely be given another measles vaccine.
Measles vaccine is available for free from GPs in NSW for people born during or after 1966 who do not have documented evidence of having received two doses.
For more information please see our measles webpage .
