Qld Health issues measles warning after eighth case this year

Queensland health authorities have issued a measles warning after a man was diagnosed with the highly infectious virus — the eighth reported case in the state so far this year.

QUEENSLAND health authorities have issued a measles warning after a man was diagnosed with the highly infectious virus — the eighth reported case in the state so far this year.

Metro North Hospital and Health Service has asked people to be wary of measles symptoms.

The man visited a number of areas in Spring Hill, Brisbane City and Fortitude Valley between March 13 and March 21 while not knowing he had the highly infectious virus.

He visited the Sportsman Hotel, Spring Hill, between 8pm to 10.30pm on Friday March 15, travelled on the Ferny Grove train from Mitchelton to Brisbane Central Station at 1.30pm on March 16 and was at Fitness First Gymnasium in Elizabeth St in Brisbane’s CBD between 4pm and 5.30pm on March 17.

The infected man was also at the Palace Cinemas in James St, Fortitude Valley, from 8.30pm to 11pm on March 18 and at Discount Drug Stores on Brunswick St, the Valley, between 10.30am and 11.30am on March 19 and again for an hour from 10.30am on March 21.

Queensland Health has issued a measles warning.

A Metro North Health spokesman said measles was one of the most infectious of all communicable diseases, spread by tiny droplets generated through coughing and sneezing.

Measles symptoms usually start about 10 days after contact, but can occur between seven and 18 days after contact with an infectious person.

Initial symptoms include a fever, fatigue, runny nose, moist cough and sore and red eyes. These are followed a few days later by a blotchy, red rash.

The rash often starts on the face and neck, then becomes widespread over the body.

Anyone who develops measles-like symptoms should stay home and contact their general practitioner for advice.

Measles can be a serious illness with complications including pneumonia and encephalitis — inflammation of the brain.

A nurse administers a measles vaccine. Picture: Yuri Dyachyshyn

Last year, 14 cases of Queensland were recorded in Queensland, compared with eight cases for the whole of 2017.

Queensland Health recommends anyone born during or since 1966, who have not had two documented doses of the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine, or a proven diagnosis of measles, to get vaccinated.

The vaccine is free in Australia.

For more information, call 13 HEALTH.