Queensland health authorities have issued an alert to residents living in the Brisbane area after another measles case was identified.
The Queensland Health Service and Metro South Hospital were made aware of the case yesterday.
It is understood the infected person visited multiple locations on Brisbane’s south side between February 16 and 23. A full list of the locations can be found at the end of this article.
The alert marks the 32nd measles outbreak case around the country since Christmas, and the second in Queensland.
A person travelling back to Australia from South East Asia was identified as the state’s first case just two weeks ago after presenting to the Sunshine Coast Hospital on February 16.
Around Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia have recorded the highest numbers of infected people with 27 cases identified across both states.
Measles is highly contagious and can be spread through the air by coughing or sneezing from somebody who is unwell with the disease.
Symptoms include fever, sore eyes and a cough. It often develops as a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and the neck to the rest of the body.
The disease can remain airborne for 30 minutes after an infected person has left the area.
The measles incubation period is about 10 days - meaning that symptoms do not appear immediately – and can take up to 14 days for a rash to show.
Health authorities urge anyone who may be showing signs or symptoms of measles to contact their GP.
A measles vaccine is also available in Australia, with two doses usually highly effective at preventing its spread.
People who were born in the late 1960s through to the mid-1980s may have only received one vaccination to date.
A full list of times and locations at risk of recent infection in Queensland:
- Victoria Point Mall, each afternoon on Saturday 16 February, Sunday 17 February, and Wednesday 20 of February.
- Norm Price Park, Redland Showgrounds, Cleveland on Saturday16 February between 5pm and 9pm.
- Aldi Supermarket, Victoria Point, on the afternoon of Sunday 17 February.
- Carmel College, Thornlands, on the Monday 18 February and Tuesday 19 February.
- Good Life Gym, Cleveland, on the afternoon of Monday 18 February.
- Princess Polly Warehouse Sale, Highland Park, Saturday 23 February between 8.20am and 2.30pm.
