SYDNEY, Sept 13 (NNN-AAP) – Health authorities of Australia’s state of New South Wales, issued a public health alert today, as the first case of measles had been confirmed in the state since Feb, 2020.
The case acquired the infection while travelling in Asia last month. The case developed symptoms after returning to Sydney and is now isolated in hospital.
The NSW Health unveiled a couple of locations the case had spent time in, while being infectious and urged people who may be susceptible to measles and were present at those locations at the same time, to be alert for symptoms until Sept 24.
Measles is highly infectious, the symptoms of which include fever, sore eyes and a cough, followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash spreading from the head and neck to the rest of the body.
Measles could be spread in the air through coughing or sneezing, by someone who is carrying the disease.
The NSW Health said, people who have not had two lifetime doses of measles vaccine, a confirmed history of measles infection, or who have a weakened immune system are considered susceptible to measles.
“This incident highlights the importance of ensuring that all people able to be vaccinated have received two doses of measles vaccine, particularly prior to overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at present,” said Executive Director of Health Protection of NSW, Jeremy McAnulty.
The health authorities also made the measles vaccine available free to anyone born during or after 1966, who doesn’t have two documented doses of measles vaccine.– NNN-AAP
