Potential measles outbreak after infected kid visits public places
HEALTH authorities are asking people to watch for measles symptoms after an infectious child went to a shopping centre, a community club and two Sydney hospitals over five days.
NSW
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HEALTH authorities are are asking people to watch for measles symptoms after an infectious child went to a shopping centre, community club and two Sydney hospitals.
NSW Health says the child went locations in Miranda, Sylvania Heights, Sutherland and Randwick between October 28 and November 1.
South Eastern Local Health District acting director of public health Dr Catherine Bateman-Steel said people need to report immediately if they are suffering symptoms.
“Anyone who was at these locations and who develops measles-like symptoms should consult their GP immediately,” she said.
“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 measles virus is highly contagious and is spread in the air through coughing or sneezing by someone who is unwell with the disease.
The time from exposure to onset of symptoms is generally about 10 days, but can be as long as 18 days.
The child went to:
• Westfield Miranda on Sunday, October 28 from 2pm to 3.30pm and Tuesday, October 30 from 2pm to 4pm;
• Sylvania Heights Community Club on Monday, October 29 from 10.30am to 11.30am;
• Sutherland Hospital Emergency Department on Wednesday October, 31 from 4.30pm to Thursday, November 1 at 4am;
• Sydney Children’s Hospital (Randwick) Emergency Department on Thursday, November 1 from 3.30am to 11am.