Measles detected in the community in Brisbane’s north

A two-year-old boy has tested positive for measles, with Queensland Health warning residents the child was infectious in Brisbane’s northern suburbs since December 9.

Health officials at Brisbane’s Metro North Health Unit confirmed the case on Monday after the boy went to the paediatric emergency department at the Prince Charles Hospital several times across the week.

Dr Megan Young said Metro North had worked with the boy’s family to determine a list of possible exposure sites, including Brisbane Airport’s domestic terminal, and a QUT graduation ceremony at The Star on Tuesday, December 10.

Young advised anyone with symptoms of the disease within the next three weeks to stay home and contact their GP for advice. Most Brisbane hospitals and GP clinics had testing capabilities.

“If you do need to seek treatment, it is important to call the medical practice first to say you could have measles, so that staff can take precautions to avoid spreading the disease to others,” Young said.

“The initial symptoms of measles include fever, lethargy, runny nose, moist cough and sore and red eyes. This is followed a few days later by a blotchy, red rash [which] often starts on the face then becomes widespread over the body.”

A QUT graduation ceremony at The Star casino was one possible exposure site.Credit: Glenn Campbell

There were five measles cases in Queensland last year, with Monday’s reported case bringing this year’s total to six.

Measles is an acute respiratory illness, and a nationally monitored disease in Australia due to its highly contagious nature.

“Measles … is spread by tiny droplets through coughing and sneezing,” said Young.

Queensland Health said at-risk groups included anyone who was born after 1965 unvaccinated, had never contracted measles before, or was immunocompromised.

Measles was a common childhood disease in Australia, but became less common after a national vaccination program was introduced in the mid-1970s.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare said after a two-dose vaccination scheme was introduced in late 1992, case numbers have dropped significantly.

Since 1992, most Australian children have received two initial doses of the measles vaccine – which also protect against mumps, rubella, and chickenpox – before their first birthday.

A booster shot is not required, although adults who have not been previously vaccinated are recommended to get at least one dose.

In Australia, the vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for children aged 12 and 18 months, and adults under 20 or entering the country for humanitarian reasons who need a catch-up vaccination.

Brisbane City Council offers free vaccination for measles at select pharmacies, GPs, and community care clinics.

Vaccination is not possible for people who might be pregnant, have a compromised immune system, or have had allergic reactions to any previous dose or component of a measles vaccine.

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