PUBLIC health officials issued a new measles alert today for the state’s southeast after a female tested positive to the virus.
She potentially exposed large numbers of people to the highly infectious disease, attending the Redland Hospital emergency department on the morning of October 31, the IGA Supermarket in Shore Street West, Cleveland, on October 29 and Cleveland’s Fiction Bar on October 28.
Metro South public health physician Kari Jarvinen said residents in the Redland and Brisbane southside areas should be alert for measles symptoms, including a fever, cough, runny nose, a red blotchy rash and sore eyes.
He said symptoms usually started around seven to 10 days after infection.
Dr Jarvinen said if someone feared they may have measles they should contact their general practitioner.
“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,” he said.
Measles complications can be serious. About 30 per cent of adults with the virus will require admission to hospital.
“Because of recent measles outbreaks overseas, it is particularly important for travellers to get vaccinated before leaving Australia,” Dr Jarvinen said.
The latest case had also visited:
· * The Thai Focus Restaurant, Cleveland, on October 28 between 7pm and 9pm;
· * Chemist King Discount Pharmacy, Shore Street West, Cleveland on October 29 between 1pm and 2pm and;
· * The Medicare office, Cleveland, on October 31 between 8.30am and 9am.
This year Queensland has recorded its worst annual toll for measles since 1997, with 67 notifications for the virus so far.
Queensland recorded 267 measles cases in 1997 and 2346 cases in 1994, the worst years for the virus in the past two decades.
Source: Courier Mail