NSW Health has issued an alert for residents of Northern Sydney and the Northern Beaches after an infant, recently returned from the Philippines, was diagnosed with measles. Details of the other case referred to in the alert can be found on the measles alert - international flight, airport and Sydney.
The child, who was too young to have received their first dose of measles vaccine as part of the standard schedule, became unwell a few days after arriving back in Sydney. The child spent time in a number of places while infectious, the details of which are provided in the map and table below.
People in the same locations at the same time as the infant should be alert for signs and symptoms of measles until 21 March, as it can take up to 18 days for symptoms to develop after being exposed to a person who is infectious with measles.
Measles is a highly infectious, serious, viral illness, which while rare in Australia, remains common in may parts of the world. The Philippines is currently experiencing large outbreaks in a number of regions, posing significant risk to unprotected travellers.
People travelling with children aged between 9 and 18 months are encouraged to discuss travel plans with their doctor, as the schedule can be adjusted for children travelling to areas where there is a high risk of catching measles. The first dose can be given as early as 9 months of age, and the second dose can be administered four weeks after the first dose. Children who receive their first dose of measles vaccine before 12 months of age may still need to receive the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine at 18 months of age even if they have received two doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, to provide lifelong protection against measles and additional protection against chickenpox (varicella). It is safe to receive more than two doses of the MMR parts of the vaccine.
Find out more about measles or refer to Measles.
Map created using ESRI (Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA).
My Health Macquarie, 456 Herring Rd North Ryde (in Macquarie Centre, level 4)10:15am-11:15am
My Health Macquarie, 456 Herring Rd North Ryde (in Macquarie Centre, level 4)11:30am-12:00pm
Macquarie Shopping Centre, Herring and Waterloo Rds, North Ryde - 9:00am-12:00pm
Penny Lane Cafe, 1/31 Brighton Street Curl Curl, 8:30am-9:00am
Northern Beaches Hospital Emergency Department, Frenchs Forest Road West Fenchs Forest 12:40pm-1:45pm
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 one 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. Most people born before 1966 are assumed to be immune to measles.
In Australia measles containing vaccine is given to children at 12 months of age as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and 18 months of age as measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine.
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. Measles vaccine is available for free from GPs in NSW for people who do not have evidence of measles immunity. 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.
For more information download the measles fact sheet, or visit Measles.