Urgent measles alert: Another outbreak is sparked after an Australian child catches the deadly disease overseas
- A child has caught measles overseas and brought the deadly disease to Brisbane
- He visited a pharmacy and a shopping centre in the city earlier this week
- Comes just days after an alert was issued in Sydney after a man caught measles
Another case of measles has been reported in Brisbane after a child developed symptoms following an overseas trip.
Queensland Health says the child visited Just Pharmacy at Murrumba Downs Shopping Centre in Brisbane’s north late on July 2 and Taigum Square Shopping Centre on the morning of July 5.
Metro North Public Health physician Rosie Muller says anyone who believes they have contracted the disease should call their medical practice first so staff can take precautions.
Another case of measles has been reported in Brisbane after a child developed symptoms following an overseas trip (stock image)
‘Measles is one of the most infectious of all communicable diseases and is spread by tiny droplets generated through coughing and sneezing,’ Dr Muller said.
The latest case is the fourth in the Metro North area this year, The Brisbane Times reports.
The last reported case involved a West Moreton woman who had travelled interstate, according to Queensland Health.
It comes just a few days after a measles alert was issued in New South Wales after an infected man spent four days in Sydney while on holiday from Queensland’s Gold Coast.
The man, aged in his 40s, was infectious while travelling on Tiger Airways flight TT609 on June 29 and then a train to Circular Quay, NSW Health said.
He spent time in Circular Quay, including a stop at Cafe Rossini and a ferry to Manly with a stop at Blue Water Cafe and back that day.
On June 30, he spent the day with visitors in Sydney before travelling around the city again on Monday, with a trip on public transport from Berowra to Wynyward station and a day spent at The Rocks Discovery Museum, The Australian Hotel and Starbuck’s at Hyde Park.
The man caught a train from Central Station to the airport on the morning of July 2 and Jetstar flight JQ420 back to the Gold Coast.
It’s believed he acquired the measles while in Thailand.
NSW Health urged anyone who may have been in contact with the man to be alert for symptoms of the disease, which can take up to 18 days to appear.
Measles symptoms include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash, NSW Health says.
More than 40 people have been diagnosed with measles in NSW since Christmas.
Despite the high numbers of people being diagnosed with measles, a recent report has shown vaccination rates in NSW are at their highest levels, with more than 95 per cent of five-year-olds vaccinated.