AN ARMIDALE child recently returned from Asia has been confirmed with a case of measles.
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The child visited the Armidale shopping precinct while still infectious.
Hunter New England Health Public Health Physician David Durrheim said measles is highly contagious for people who are not fully immunised. “Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, sore eyes,” Dr Durrheim said.
“A red rash develops after two to four days of symptoms, often starting on the face and spreading over the body.”
Dr Durrheim said anyone with these symptoms should stay home from school or work and not go out in public while they are potentially infectious
“If you experience these symptoms you should make an appointment to see your GP but make sure you call before you go to the clinic so they can make arrangements to see you without exposing others in the surgery or waiting room,” Dr Durrheim said.
“Measles is a highly infectious virus that is spread through the air by someone who is unwell with the disease. Measles can be a very severe disease and can cause serious complications, ranging from ear infection to pneumonia or swelling of the brain,” Dr Durrheim said.
“The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms is typically about 10 days but it can be as long as 18 days,” Dr Durrheim said.
Measles is now rare in NSW because of immunisation but many areas of the world continue to experience outbreaks.
Children and adults born during or since 1966 who do not have documented evidence of receiving two doses of MMR vaccine or evidence of measles infection are considered to be susceptible to measles.
Hunter New England Health is urging people born during or after 1966 to ensure they are fully immunised against measles, particularly before they travel overseas.
NSW Health offers free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine through GPs for people born after 1966. “The free MMR vaccine is very safe and effective. Two doses of the vaccine are required for lifelong protection,” Dr Durrheim said.
Dr Durrheim said it was also important for people who are planning overseas travel to make sure they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine at least one month apart, from their GP or at a travel health clinic