Measles - sharing the love east coast

By Corin Kelly
Wednesday, 06 July, 2016

A measles alert has been issued for the greater Brisbane region, as well as Melbourne and Shepparton in Victoria after an infected woman visited those cities and stayed in the area for several days. This follows four measles cases that were diagnosed in Sydney in April.


The director of communicable diseases for the NSW Health, Vicky Sheppeard, said measles was the most infectious disease known to man.
"In 2012, we had one case of measles that resulted a further 169 cases over the period of a few months," she said.
"Just one case can cause an outbreak and so by informing people about measles, about the symptoms, and about how it can be prevent it, we hope to contain this and have as few further cases as possible."
"It's transmitted through the air, so you can have a person with measles in a room, they can leave it and you can walk in there 15 minutes later and still catch the infection," she said.
Queensland Health said of the recent case, after the woman visited Melbourne and Shepparton, she then caught a train to Beenleigh, south of Brisbane, and later visited the Beaudesert Fair Shopping Centre.
Metro South Health (MSH) physician Dr Bhakti Vasant said the woman, who was visiting from Victoria, was infectious while in Brisbane from Saturday to Tuesday.
"Public health staff have already been contacting people known to have been in close contact with the case," she said.
"But given the number of people potentially exposed, further measles cases could present in Brisbane or elsewhere over the next few weeks."

A measles alert has been issued for the greater Brisbane region, as well as Melbourne and Shepparton in Victoria after an infected woman visited those cities and stayed in the area for several days.


Queensland Health said the woman then caught a train to Beenleigh, south of Brisbane, and later visited the Beaudesert Fair Shopping Centre.
Metro South Health (MSH) physician Dr Bhakti Vasant said the woman, who was visiting from Victoria, was infectious while in Brisbane from Saturday to Tuesday.
"Public health staff have already been contacting people known to have been in close contact with the case," she said.
"But given the number of people potentially exposed, further measles cases could present in Brisbane or elsewhere over the next few weeks."
References
Health warning issued after four cases of measles diagnosed in Sydney. ABC News. 6 April 2016.
Brisbane, Melbourne measles alert issued after infected woman visits. ABC News. 1st July. 2016.
Related News

Blood analysis could help predict sepsis in children

Professor Luregn Schlapbach from UQ's Child Health Research Centre said sepsis is best...

AI in health: CSIRO report highlights opportunities, challenges

The use of AI in health care is unique because the accuracy of models could mean the difference...

Study reports rise in use of 'designer' drug substitutes

An alert has been issued on the use of designer drug substitutes, following a 75% increase in...


  • All content Copyright © 2024 Westwick-Farrow Pty Ltd