Urgent measles warning for Perth after contagious disease spreads

A second measles alert has been issued for Perth just days after the alarm was first sounded.

Travellers who were on flight SQ225 Singapore to Perth on Sunday have been warned to watch for symptoms of the deadly virus after an infected traveller was on the flight.

Passengers are urged to monitor for symptoms up to 18 days from their arrival.

Western Australian health authorities also urge anyone who was in Terminal 1 at Perth Airport between 5.30am and 6.30am on Sunday to also be vigilant for possible symptoms. 

The latest case of the measles in Perth is unrelated to the first case reported on Tuesday.

They recently returned from from south-east Asia and visited several public places in Armadale, in south-east Perth, from November 30 to December 6. 

Early symptoms to watch out for include fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose and sore eyes. 

The red, non-itchy rash that comes with the measles usually occurs 3-4 days after the first symptoms appear – starting on the face before spreading all over the body.

Passengers who were on flight SQ225 Singapore to Perth on Sunday are being warned to look for measles symptoms (stock image of measles)

Those with symptoms are advised to call their GP or hospital emergency department before attending in person, as all confirmed cases must be notified to the health department.  

‘Several countries around the world are experiencing measles outbreaks,’ the alert said.

‘People travelling to these countries are at risk if they do not have immunity to the measles virus.’

Measles typically develops 10 days after being exposed to the virus can vary between 7-18 days.

Anyone who was at Perth Airport terminal one early Sunday morning should also be vigilant

Anyone who was at Perth Airport terminal one early Sunday morning should also be vigilant

If someone has visited an exposure location during the specified dates and times below, they only need to monitor for symptoms between 7 to 18 days after the visit.

It is estimated that there were 10.3 million cases of measles worldwide in 2023, which represents a whopping 20 per cent spike on 2022 numbers, according to the Word Health Organisation and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates.

The two organisations released a joint statement last month, saying ‘inadequate immunisation coverage globally is driving the surge in cases’.

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