Browse > Home / News / Measles health warning issued

Measles health warning issued

Posted on February 16, 2009, 12:12pm

SA Health has echoed a Victorian warning to anyone who shows symptoms of measles to visit their GP.

The warning comes a month after 11 cases of measles were reported in Victoria.

According to Victoria’s chief health officer Dr John Carnie, all 11 Victorian cases are recovering, but SA Health is now looking for anyone who may have been in contact with a young man from Adelaide who caught measles while overseas.

The young man visited several public places while infectious including the Women’s and Children’s Hospital emergency department on February 7.

Dr Jane Raupach from SA Health’s communicable diseases control branch, said measles is highly contagious among people who are not fully immunised.

“Measles is spread through coughing and sneezing. The illness begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes, followed by a rash which begins on the head and then spreads down the body,” Dr Raupach said.

“Immunisation provides the best protection against measles ‚which is why it’s part of the national vaccine schedule.

“Most people born before 1966 had measles and will be immune, and people who have had two doses of measles vaccine will be protected.

“We are advising parents to make sure their children are vaccinated at the recommended times of 12 months and 4 years of age, and for adults to check they have had two measles vaccinations.”

Dr Raupach said SA Health staff were contacting people who may have been exposed, and are passing on information and advice about prevention measures.

She said anyone with suspected symptoms should contact their doctor.

“It is very important that people phone their GP ahead of any visit, so that precautions can be taken to avoid spreading disease to others,” she said.

A fact sheet about measles can be found on the SA Health website at www.health.sa.gov.au.

Tags: ,  

Comments

Comments are closed.