Measles case identified in infant boy, bringing SA’s annual tally to six

A baby boy has contracted measles after returning from overseas, prompting an urgent health warning from authorities. See the list of exposure sites.

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An infant boy is in a stable condition in hospital after contracting measles after a recent overseas trip, prompting an urgent alert from SA Health.

The one-year-old is the sixth case of measles in South Australia this year, compared to three cases at the same time last year. A total of three cases were recorded in 2023.

Measles is a serious and highly-contagious infectious disease and SA Health advises anyone who is not fully immunised, and particularly those who were in the locations at the times listed below, to be alert for symptoms over the next few weeks and to see a doctor if they become ill.

• Women’s and Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, on Saturday 15 June from 1:45am to 3:20am
• Premium Care Medical Practice, Shop 105B Hollywood Plaza, Salisbury Downs, on Wednesday 12 June from 5:00pm to 6:00pm and Friday 14 June from 2:00pm to 3:00pm
• Benson Radiology, located in Modbury Hospital, on Thursday 13 June from 2:00pm to 3:15pm
• SA Pathology, located in Modbury Hospital, on Thursday 13 June from 3:00pm to 4:00pm
• Adelaide Airport, on Tuesday 11 June from 11:30pm to Wednesday 12 June 12:30am
• Flight QF749 from Sydney to Adelaide, on Tuesday 11 June
• Flight EK416 Dubai to Sydney, arriving on Tuesday 11 June

A typical measles rash. Picture: iStock

The first measles case this year was in infant from metropolitan Adelaide who had returned from overseas in early March.

The second case was a 17-year-old male from metropolitan Adelaide who was exposed to the measles case in the infant.

A cascaded of cases kicked off after a third infection was reported on April 4 — a close contact of the second case — while the fourth and fifth cases were a teenager and a male in his 20s from metropolitan Adelaide who contracted the disease by community contact.

Symptoms of measles

Symptoms of measles start with fever, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes, followed by a blotchy rash which usually begins on the head and then spreads down the body.

When measles is suspected, it is important to phone the doctor before any visit and mention why you are attending, so precautions can be taken to avoid spreading disease to others.

Measles vaccination is on the National Immunisation Program at 12 months and 18 months of age.

Most measles cases in Australia occur in overseas visitors and returning residents who did not have two doses of the measles vaccine.