Urgent measles warning for two states
Health authorities have issued an urgent warning to two states after a one-year-old boy in Adelaide was diagnosed with measles.
The boy travelled with his family from Dubai to Sydney International Airport and was infections while inside the Sydney Domestic T3 terminal on June 11.
The child flew into the country on flight EH416 and travelled to Adelaide from Sydney on flight QF749 on the same day.
South Australian health officials were notified of the infectious child, who is recovering in hsopital in a stable condition.
Both SA Health and NSW Health are advising anyone who was on teh flights or transitioning between terminals at the same time as the infected child to be alert for signs and symptoms.
The boy was at Adelaide Airport on June 11, before visiting SA Pathology and Benson Radiology clinic at Modbury Hospital on June 13 and a Salisbury Downs surgery on June 14.
The boy also visited the Women’s and Children’s Hospital on June 15.
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit Acting Director, Dr Anthea Katelaris, said there is no ongoing risk but is urging anyone at the locations to look out for symptoms.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body,” Dr Katelaris said.
“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to stay alert for symptoms until Saturday June 29, 2024.
“Anyone who develops symptoms should call ahead to their GP or emergency department and say that they may have measles to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.”
Dr Katelaris said it should be a reminder for everyone to check they are protected against measles, which is a highly infectious disease.
“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine,” she said.
SA Health also issued an urgent warning for anyone who isn’t fully vaccinated to be alert for symptoms over the coming weeks.
Due to the highly contagious nature of the disease, officials are advising anyone who isn’t fully immunised to be alert for symptoms over the coming weeks.
The list of exposure sites:
Emirates flight EK 416. Departed Dubai on Monday, June 10 at 9.37pm and arrived at Sydney International Terminal at 4.57pm on June 11
Qantas flight QF479. Departed Sydney Tomestic T3 at 8.51pm on Tuesday June 11 and arrived in Adelaide at 10.45pm
Sydney International Terminal arrivals from 5pm to 7pm on June 11
Sydney Domestic Terminal 3 departures from 6pm to 8pm
Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, on Saturday, June 15 from 1.45am to 3.20am
Premium Care Medical Practice, Shop 105B Hollywood Plaza, Salisbury Downs, on Wednesday, June 12 from 5pm to 6pm and Friday, June 14 from 2pm to 3pm
Benson Radiology, located in Modbury Hospital, on Thursday, June 13 from 2pm to 3.15pm
SA Pathology, located in Modbury Hospital, on Thursday, June 13 from 3pm to 4pm
Adelaide Airport, on Tuesday, June 11 from 11.30pm to Wednesday, June 12 at 12.30am
Flight QF749 from Sydney to Adelaide, on Tuesday, June 11
Flight EK416 Dubai to Sydney, arriving on Tuesday, June 11
The baby was diagnosed with measles after returning from an overseas trip with family. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes
WHAT IS MEASLES?
Measles is a highly contagious disease that is caused by a virus and infects the respiratory tract, to later spread throughout the body.
Symptoms include cough, high fever, running nose and a large rash all over the body.
The disease can affect anyone but is most commonly seen in children, with vaccination recommended as the best way to prevent getting sick or spreading it to others.
Prior to the measles vaccine in 1963, major epidemics occurred roughly every two to three years and caused the deaths of en estimated 2.6 million people each year.
This is the sixth recorded case of the disease in SA this year, with last year recording only three cases. Officials say most cases of measles in Australia come from overseas visitors or those returning who didn’t have two doses of the vaccine.
