’We’re very worried’: Surge in Queensland measles cases has health authorities concerned

Measles cases in Queensland have surged past 50 for 2019 as the national total hits 235. But the speed at which the number of Sunshine State cases doubled from 25 should be a cause for concern.

AUSTRALIA is experiencing its second-worst year for measles in the past two decades, with 235 cases recorded so far in 2019.

Queensland notifications for measles have surged to 53 this year, including 13 people so sick they needed to be admitted to hospital.

Four of the Queenslanders diagnosed were babies under 12 months old. The youngest was six months old and the oldest person diagnosed was 52.

It’s the state’s worst year for the highly contagious virus since 2014 and the second worst since 1997 when 267 cases were recorded.

MEASLES HITS FIVE MEMBERS OF ONE FAMILY

ANTI-VAXXERS UNDERMINE HEALTH MESSAGES

About half of the cases have occurred in the Metro South Hospital and Health Service catchment, which takes in Brisbane’s southside and the Logan region.

Measles numbers for 2019 have more than doubled in Queensland in a month.

A newborn baby with measles. Picture: istock

Nineteen of this year’s Queensland measles cases were infected overseas, resulting in a further 16 cases in the state.

Of the 19 overseas-acquired cases, nine were infected in New Zealand, three in Vietnam, two in the Philippines, one in Myanmar, one in Thailand and three people visited multiple countries where measles is endemic.

Queensland’s chief health officer Jeannette Young said New Zealand and Samoa were experiencing ongoing measles outbreaks.

“It is particularly important that anyone travelling to New Zealand or surrounding Pacific Islands in the near future ensure they are up to date with their measles vaccination,” Dr Young said.

“It is also important that families and friends in contact with people who have recently returned or are returning from New Zealand or surrounding Pacific Islands ensure their measles vaccinations are up to date.

“People who may have been exposed to measles and are uncertain of their immunity should be alert for symptoms, present to their general practitioner early if they become unwell and call the medical practice first so that staff can take precautions to avoid spreading it to others.”

Griffith University immunisation expert Professor Paul Van Buynder described measles as “a serious virus”.

“It has a very bad effect on small children,” Professor Van Buynder said. “There’s a death rate associated with measles. That’s why we’re so worried.”

In 2014, Australia recorded 339 cases of measles — the worst year since 1997 when 831 cases were diagnosed.

For more information: 13 HEALTH

Measles by health district

Cairns and Hinterland: 3.

Gold Coast: 10.

Metro North: 6.

Metro South: 26.

Sunshine Coast: 5.

Townsville: 2.

West Moreton: 1.

Total: 53.