Health Department issues measles warning as outbreak worsens

UPDATE: Health authorities in Brisbane have confirmed an a man from the city’s northside is infected with the virus.

Metro North Public Health Unit (MNPHU) said on Tuesday the man was unknowingly infectious when he used public transport last week and has urged passengers who traveled on the train line between Enoggera and Roma Street on March 19 and 20, to be on alert for measles-like symptoms.

Common measles symptoms include fever, lethargy, runny nose, moist cough and sore and red eyes, and finally a red, splotchy rash.

On Monday, health authorities warned six new cases of measles have been linked to a passenger on a flight to Melbourne from Malaysia earlier this month.

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has since issued a warning for all travellers who collected their luggage from the international baggage area on the morning of Wednesday March 7, when the AirAsia flight D7214 from Kuala Lumpur arrived. 

The passenger, a 40-year-old Australian man, became unwell on the flight and went straight to hospital where the illness was diagnosed. 

Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer, Dr Brett Sutton said the newly-confirmed cases had been in the international baggage collection area between 9.30am and midday. 

“None of these were on the same flight, but we believe they fell ill because they were in the baggage area at the same time as the index case,” Sutton said.

The department said the new cases are a baby too young to be immunised and five adults ranging in age from 20 to 60. 

Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause serious illness, particularly in very young children and adults. The illness usually begins with common cold symptoms such as runny nose, red eyes, and a cough, followed by fever and rash.

“The characteristic measles rash usually begins 3-7 days after the first symptoms, generally starting on the face and then spreading to the rest of the body,” Sutton said. 

“Anyone developing symptoms is advised to ring ahead to their general practitioner or hospital first and tell them that they may have measles so that appropriate steps can be taken to avoid contact with other patients.”

The illness is now uncommon in Australia because of the widespread use of the measles vaccine. However, the department said anyone unvaccinated is at risk of contracting the disease. Most cases involve people aged between 26 and 52, as this group has lower immunisation coverage. 

“All adults born during or since 1966 who have not received two doses of measles-containing vaccine should see their GP before travelling overseas,to check their records and get vaccinated. Measles vaccine is not just a childhood vaccine: it’s a travel vaccine,” Sutton said. 

Have you ever had the measles? Have you been vaccinated?

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IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.