A second adult has developed measles in the Richmond area in a week, prompting a warning to residents from the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) to look out for symptoms.
In a statement issued yesterday (Wednesday), the NBMLHD stated the victim had visited Richmond Marketplace while infectious on Monday.
“The adult, who was not vaccinated, spent time at the Richmond Marketplace shopping centre on Monday, September 17 from 8.30am to 2pm while infectious,” the statement said.
NBMLHD public health unit representative Dr Sheena Kakar said anyone in the shopping centre at time who hadn’t previously received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine should contact the Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 for advice.
A dose of MMR within three days of exposure to measles is highly effective in preventing measles developing, she said.
“Measles is highly contagious and can be spread by coughing or sneezing by someone who is infected,” Dr Kakar said.
“This is our second measles case to be confirmed in the District in the past week.
“The first case was an adult in Lithgow, also unvaccinated, who contracted the disease while overseas. This second patient developed measles after spending time with the patient from Lithgow.
“The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective protection against measles and is available free for those aged one to 52 from your GP. If you are unsure whether you have had two doses, it is quite safe to have another dose.”
Measles symptoms 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.
The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms is typically about 10 days but can be as long as 18 days, so people should be particularly alert to symptoms until mid-October.
Dr Kakar said people with measles symptoms should see their GP but be sure to call ahead, so they can limit exposure to others in the surgery.
“If you have measles symptoms, it’s also important to stay home from work or school to minimise the spread of the infection,” she said.
Protecting children from potentially deadly diseases is a key priority for the NSW Government, which has invested approximately $130 million in the 2018-19 Immunisation Program budget, including Commonwealth and state vaccines.
For more information on measles, visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/measles_factsheet.aspx
