A worsening outbreak of measles at the University of Queensland (UQ) has prompted Queensland Health to set up a vaccination clinic at the Brisbane campus.
Four students have now been diagnosed with the highly contagious virus over the past five weeks.
It is believed the latest patient came into contact with an infected student during a lecture.
Dr James Smith from the Metro North Hospital and Health Service said the fourth person to contract measles had been to a number of areas while infectious including:
- University of Queensland, St Lucia between August 11-19
- Indooroopilly Shopping Centre on Thursday, August 13
- The Royal Exchange (RE) Hotel on Saturday August 15
- Taringa Day and Night Medical Centre on Sunday evening, August 16.
Dr Smith said other UQ students and members of the public who visited those sites need to be alert for symptoms which include fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough, sore red eyes and a rash.
“Measles can be distressing for those with the infection and can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain),” he said.
“Measles is a very contagious virus that is spread from person-to-person by tiny droplets created during coughing and sneezing.
“We encourage people to check if they need to be vaccinated against measles.”
Dr Smith said a vaccination clinic would be set up at UQ this week, and he urged students who live in colleges on campus to attend.