Measles warning Central Coast: visitor with measles at local shops, cafes

NSW Health has warned Central Coast and Sydney residents to be on the alert for measles after an infected person visited the region. Here’s where they went in the area and what symptoms to watch for.

Measles rash is one of the last symptoms.

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NSW Health has warned Central Coast and Sydney residents to be on the alert for measles symptoms after a visitor attended at least at least three areas over the Christmas period.

The visitor from the ACT, a young adult who was unaware they were infected, made several visits to shopping centres and cafes:

■ McDonald’s, Thornleigh, from 12:30 – 1pm on Wednesday 26 December

■ Deepwater Plaza Woy Woy and Umina Beach Shopping Centre between Wednesday 26 and Sunday 30 December.

■ They also went to Jasmine cafe, Umina Beach, 9 – 10:30am, Sunday 30 December

NSW Health has issued a measles warning.

Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director Communicable Diseases NSW Health, said anyone who was in these locations at the same time should watch for symptoms.

“The time from exposure to the disease to the onset of symptoms is typically about 10 days but can be as long as 18 days so people should be alert to symptoms until mid-January,” Dr Sheppeard said.

SYMPTOMS AND SPREAD

■ Measles symptoms include:

■ fever

■ sore eyes

■ cough

■ followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash spreading from the head and neck to the rest of the body.

■ Measles is highly contagious and is spread in the air through coughing or sneezing by someone who is unwell with the disease.

A visitor with the measles virus visited Deep Water Plaza over the Christmas break.

WHO IS SUSCEPTIBLE

Dr Sheppeard said infants under 12 months of age who are too young to be vaccinated and young adults are most likely to be susceptible to measles.

“People in the 20-40 year age bracket may have missed out on the full vaccination program for measles and mistakenly believe they are protected against the disease.

GET IMMUNISED

“The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and highly effective protection against measles, and I urge anyone travelling to South East Asia to see their GP for a free shot if they are not fully protected.

“If you are unsure whether you have had two doses, it is quite safe to have another dose before you travel.”

Protecting children from potentially deadly diseases is a key priority for the NSW Government, which has invested approximately $130 million in the 2018-19 Immunisation Program budget, including Commonwealth and state vaccines.

Umina Beach Shopping Centre was also visited.

The latest Annual Immunisation Coverage Report shows vaccination rates in NSW are at their highest level ever, with more than 94 per cent of five year olds vaccinated against measles.

NSW children at one and five years of age have some of the highest measles vaccine uptake in Australia, boosted by programs including the:

Save the Date app campaign ($5.5 million invested since 2013)

Aboriginal Immunisation Health Worker program ($1.3 million annually)

New NSW Government laws that came in on 1 January preventing parents who object to vaccination from enrolling their children in preschools and early childhood centres.

IF YOU GET SICK

Dr Sheppeard said it was important for people to see the GP if they have symptoms, and limit exposure to others until the GP has made a diagnosis.

“If you develop symptoms please call ahead to your GP so that you do not wait in the waiting room with other patients,” Dr Sheppeard said.

“Medical and public health staff are contacting people known to have been in contact with this latest case to offer preventive injections, where appropriate.

“Vaccination is your best protection against this extremely contagious disease.”