A measles alert has been issued after a man diagnosed with the highly infectious illness visited an NRL game and several other public venues in Brisbane over a 10-day period.
Queensland Health said the man was infectious when he visited all seven venues.
On March 1, he was at Little Sista cafe in Coorparoo around lunchtime.
On the evening of Tuesday March 3 he visited the Jubilee Hotel in Fortitude Valley. Last Thursday night, he attended the Caxton Hotel, Hotel LA and the Broncos game at Lang Park.
At lunchtime last Friday he visited The Emporium in Fortitude Valley, while last Monday he ate lunch at Kafe Me in Greenslopes Mall.
Metro South Health physician Dr Kari Jarvinen said residents visiting any of those places at the relevant times needed to be alert for symptoms.
“Measles is one of the most infectious of all communicable diseases and is spread by tiny droplets through coughing and sneezing,” he said.
“True measles is a serious viral infection that causes fever, cough, runny nose, then a red spotty rash and sore eyes a few days later.
“Symptoms usually start around seven to 10 days after infection but sometimes longer so anyone who develops measles-like symptoms within the next fortnight should contact their GP for advice.”
Dr Jarvinen said given the large numbers of people potentially exposed, further measles cases could present in Brisbane or elsewhere over the next few weeks.
“If people are adequately vaccinated with two recorded doses of Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine, they are very unlikely to get the disease.
“People who are unsure or have concerns about their immunity to measles should contact their doctor to check whether they have had both vaccines.
“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.”
Dr Jarvinen said about 30 per cent of adults with measles end up in hospital.
“It can be a severe illness even in otherwise healthy adolescents and young adults,” he said.