Man contracts measles at Wyndham College, Quakers Hill

A MAN has contracted measles at Quakers Hill, taking the total cases to 16 in western Sydney and 22 in NSW this year.

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A MAN has contracted measles at a Quakers Hill high school, taking the total cases to 16 in western Sydney and 22 in NSW this year.

He contracted the disease at Wyndham College after they were exposed by an earlier case which was reported to happen at the school between March 28 and 30.

The man also spent time in the Blue Mountains, Strathfield and Leichhardt while infectious.

He presented to Blue Mountains Hospital on Good Friday afternoon, was isolated and is now making a good recovery.

While infectious he also visited:

● Marion Aged Care Facility, Leichhardt on April 10

● Me Oi Vietnamese restaurant, Strathfield on 10 April

● Lawson shops, Lawson in the Blue Mountains on April 10 and 13

NSW Health’s communicable diseases director Dr Vicky Sheppeard said contact was being made with people who may have been directly exposed to the virus.

“Measles is highly contagious. It can be spread by coughing or sneezing by someone who is infected,’’ Dr Shepherd said.

Dr Vicky Sheppeard has urged people to be vaccinated.

People with measles should stay home.

“The best protection from measles is to be vaccinated.”

Dr Sheppeard said people who had not already had two doses of the vaccine and were in the listed sites should be particularly vigilant.

Symptoms of measles 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.

People with these symptoms should seek medical advice as soon as possible.

“People with measles symptoms should stay home from work or school to avoid exposing other vulnerable people, such as infants, to the infection,” Dr Sheppeard said.

“When attending your GP or the emergency department with measles symptoms, please call ahead so arrangements can be made to minimise the risk of spreading the infection to other people.”