Measles alert in Sydney
Residents of western Sydney in Australia have been advised to stay alert after two cases of measles were diagnosed at Blacktown Hospital. According to Doctor Vicky Sheppeard, manager of the local public health unit, it is thought that one of the infected persons contracted the disease during a recent trip abroad, and passed it on to the second when they arrived back in Australia. “Measles is one of the most easily spread diseases,” said Sheppeard, “and just being in the same room as someone with measles can result in infection.”
Residents of western Sydney in Australia have been advised to stay alert after two cases of measles were diagnosed at Blacktown Hospital. According to Doctor Vicky Sheppeard, manager of the local public health unit, it is thought that one of the infected persons contracted the disease during a recent trip abroad, and passed it on to the second when they arrived back in Australia. “Measles is one of the most easily spread diseases,” said Sheppeard, “and just being in the same room as someone with measles can result in infection.”
Initial symptoms of the disease include fatigue, fever, sore red eyes, a runny nose and a cough, and they usually begin to present themselves 10 days after infection. A blotchy red rash will then appear three to four days later. Dr Sheppeard has advised Sydney residents ‘to be particularly aware of any signs of infection in themselves or their children’ while the public health unit works with Blacktown Hospital to identify and contact anyone who may have become infected. Adults between 25 and 36 years of age can be particularly susceptible to measles, as only one dose of the vaccine will have been recommended when they were young. A free vaccine is available for Australians in this age range, and anyone planning overseas travel is advised to contact their GP.