The New South Wales (NSW) health authority has issued a measles alert after it was notified of two confirmed cases who acquired their infection overseas.
NSW Health emphasised that the listed locations do not pose any ongoing threat.
People who were in these areas at the same time as the positive cases should be alert for any signs of measles until Aug. 7, said Dr. Anthea Katelaris, assistant director of the South Eastern Sydney Public Health Unit.
“Symptoms of measles include fever, sore eyes, and a cough followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash which typically spreads from the head and neck 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 is really important to stay vigilant if you’ve been in the above locations.
“If you develop symptoms, please call ahead to your GP to ensure you do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.”
Dr. Katelaris said people should check their vaccination status for the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is available from GPs for all ages.
The vaccination can be administered in infants as young as 12 months old and is included as part of the national immunisation program for all Australian children.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread in the air through coughing and sneezing. Those with the disease can potentially spread it to up to 90 percent of the individuals they come into contact with. It also remains on surfaces for up to two hours after a person has left.
Measles on the Rise
While the disease is rare in Australia, there have also been multiple large outbreaks currently occurring in many other parts of the world.NSW and Victorian health authorities said people returning from overseas should be alert to any possible symptoms.
“Large and disruptive outbreaks (more than 20 reported measles cases per million population during a 12-month period) have been reported in the European, African, Eastern Mediterranean, Western Pacific, and Southeast Asian regions during 2023,” the CDC said.
The Australian health authorities follow the advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to encourage vaccination as the sole source of protection from the disease.
“Even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available, in 2021, there were an estimated 128 000 measles deaths globally, mostly among unvaccinated or under vaccinated children under the age of 5 years,” the WHO said.
It noted that global vaccination rates in one-year-old children for measles in 2021 reached the lowest level since 2008 due to set backs in immunisation efforts during COVID-19.
“The suspensions of immunization services and declines in immunization rates and surveillance across the globe left millions of children vulnerable to preventable diseases like measles,” it said.
According to microbiologist Dr. Sean Lin, a population’s overall health can also help with measles prevention.
“Relying solely on increasing vaccination campaigns may not be optimal for achieving herd immunity. Genuine herd immunity should be established more naturally via improving lifestyle, adopting a better diet, and implementing natural and holistic prevention approaches.”