NT measles outbreak an alarm for Kununurra
A Kununurra GP has warned parents to ensure their children's immunisations are up-to-date, with an outbreak of measles sweeping through the Northern Territory.
The NT Department of Health has confirmed 46 cases of measles since mid-January, with the Centre for Disease Control warning more could be confirmed in coming weeks.
Kununurra GP Abby Harwood said measles was an extremely contagious disease and the outbreak could easily make its way from the NT to Kununurra.
"With the amount of people that travel between here and Darwin there is a high likelihood it could make its way here," she said.
"A lot of it though is ensuring your kids are immunised and just being sensible, especially if you are travelling up to Darwin with your kids." Of the 46 confirmed cases, six have been from overseas including four from the Philippines, where there is currently a large outbreak, and two from Singapore.
All other cases have involved NT residents who have not been fully immunised.
Early symptoms of measles start seven to 10 days after contact but can take up to 18 days to occur.
They include fever, cough, red itchy eyes and runny nose.
Two to four days later a red blotchy rash appears, starting on the face and spreading all over.
Dr Harwood said to be fully protected children should receive two immunisations, with the second one now recommended to be administered at 18 months of age.
"(The second one) used to be at four years, so the kids that are now three to three-and-a-half at the moment haven't had their second dose yet," she said.
Some cases in the NT have been in babies too young to be vaccinated.
NT Centre for Disease Control director Dr Vicki Krause said a significant proportion of cases also had complications of ear infections, pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation in the brain).
"There is no specific treatment for measles and that is why it is so important to prevent it," she said.
"Any person who has had contact with a case of measles should monitor their health for three weeks and isolate themselves if they get a fever during this period."
"If the fever persists they should arrange to get tested for measles."
The WA Health Department has recorded 13 cases of measles since January, eight of which occurred after travel to the Philippines.
This is the highest rate of measles cases recorded in WA since 2006. More information about measles and immunisation is available online at www.health.wa.gov.au .
Any person who has had contact with a case of measles should monitor their health for three weeks. Dr Vicki Krause
