NSW Health has issued an alert following diagnosis of measles in a backpacker staying in the Haymarket area, and a primary school aged child from South Western Sydney.
This alert relates to the child from South Western Sydney, details regarding the case in the backpacker from the Haymarket area can be found in the measles alert - Haymarket, World Square and St Vincent's Hospital.
An unvaccinated primary school aged child has been diagnosed with measles. The child had not travelled outside of Australia prior to illness, and has acquired the infection in NSW. The source of the child's infection is currently under investigation.
Parents of other children who attend Bonnyrigg Heights Public School have been advised to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles, and children who have not received two doses of measles vaccine have been advised not to return to school until 2 April.
While infectious, the child visited a number of other locations. The details of these locations are provided in the map and table below.
People who were in these locations at the same time as the child should be alert for signs and symptoms of measles until 5 April, as it can take up to 18 days for symptoms to develop following exposure to someone who is infectious with measles.
More information about measles can be found below, or on the measles webpage.
Map created using Arc GIS Portal (Sources: Esri, OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA)
Bonnyrigg Heights Public School, Cnr Lewis St and Wilson Rd Bonnyrigg Heights
Russell's Barber Shop - Shop 32a The Valley Plaza Green Valley, 11:00am - 12:00pm
The Valley Plaza, Wilson Rd Green Valley, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Edensor Road Family Medical Centre, 195 Edensor Rd Edensor Park 11:00am - 11:45am
Fairfield Hospital Emergency Department, Polding Street and Prairievale Road, Prairiewood, 12:35pm - 1:45pm
These sites do not pose any ongoing risk to the public.
The local Public Health Unit have worked with the Medical Centre and Hospital to directly contact other patients present at the same time as the child to provide preventive treatment or information as necessary.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness, which is spread easily through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes. The measles virus can remain in the air for short periods of time, so simply being in the same room as a person with measles can result in infection if you are not immune.
Measles generally begins with a fever, cough, runny nose and/or sore, red eyes, followed a few days later by a red, spotty, non-itchy rash which starts on the face and spreads to the body and limbs. People with measles may also experience diarrhoea and this is more common in small children.
People who are experiencing signs and symptoms of measles should seek medical attention. NSW Health recommends calling ahead to the practice or emergency department to alert of them of your symptoms so that measures can be taken to limit your exposure to others upon your arrival.
Measles is a serious illness, and complications such as diarrhoea, middle ear infection and pneumonia occur in up to one third of cases. Measles encephalitis is swelling of the brain caused by the measles virus and occurs in up to one in 1000 cases. A fatal condition known as sub-acute sclerosing pan encephalitis occurs in 1 in 10000 cases and is a progressive neurological disorder which presents years after measles infection.
People are at risk of measles if they are exposed to an infectious case and have never had measles or have not received two doses of measles containing vaccine. Two doses of measles containing vaccine provide lifelong protection against infection in 99 per cent of vaccinated people. People born before 1966 are assumed to be immune to measles.
NSW Health encourages all people 12 months of age or older, and born during or after 1966 make sure they have received two doses of measles vaccine. For people who are unsure of whether they have previously received two doses, it is safe to receive more than two.
Travellers are encouraged to discuss their travel plans with their GP to ensure that they are protected against preventable diseases such as measles prior to travel. People travelling with children between the ages of 9 months and 18 months of age should discuss travel plans with their doctor, as the vaccination schedule can be adjusted for children travelling to high risk areas for measles.
For more information download the measles fact sheet, or visit Measles.
