A PRIMARY school child in Toowoomba has been diagnosed with measles, in the 35th case for Queensland this year.
The child travelled extensively with their family while infectious, causing concern that they may have spread the highly infectious disease to others in the community.
Locations visited included:
May 29-30: Attended school at Toowoomba Christian College, New England Highway, Highfields
May 30: Travelled with family to Tenterfield, stopping at McDonalds Restaurant, New England Highway, Stanthorpe
May 31: Attended Beef Week, Casino NSW
May 31: On return journey attended a Boys Brigade drill at Rosewood State High School Hall, Rosewood QLD. This event included companies from South Brisbane, Toowoomba, Caboolture, Ipswich, Crows Nest and Enoggera.
June 2: Noon – 3pm attended Farmfest set-up with a group from Downlands College, Farmfest, Kingsthorpe, QLD
June 4: 4am presented to Toowoomba Hospital Emergency Department
Darling Downs Public Health Unit Director Dr Penny Hutchinson said there was the potential that the child had infected others. Measles symptoms – which include fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, red inflamed eyes and a blotchy dark red rash – usually appear between 7 and 18 days after infection.
“This means that we could expect to see further cases up until the 21st June 2014,” she said.
“Anyone who develops measles-like symptoms within the next week or two should contact their GP for advice.
“It is very important to call the medical practice first to say you could have measles, so that staff can take precautions to avoid spreading the disease to others.”