Southwest Sydney residents issued measles alert
A health warning has been issued for residents and visitors to southwest Sydney after a man with measles symptoms visited public areas in Bankstown and Padstow.
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Residents are urged to check with their doctors if they think they have been exposed to measles in Canterbury Bankstown after a man with symptoms of the highly contagious disease visited shopping centres in the area over several days.
A South Western Sydney Local Health District spokeswoman revealed the man had contracted measles after travelling in South East Asia recently.
The young man, who has been treated for the symptoms, had visited Woolworths Padstow (Metro) in Faraday Rd, Padstow, at lunch time on Friday, September 6.
He also went shopping at Kmart at Bankstown Central shopping centre, 1 North Terrace, from noon to 1pm on Sunday, September 8.
The man also visited the Centrelink Bankstown office in Meredith St, on Tuesday, September 10, from 9am to 10am.
Those exposed to the man during these times are advised to look out for symptoms of measles until September 28, said SWSLHD Public Health Unit acting director Dr Kate Alexander.
“Anyone with symptoms should call ahead to their GP so they do not wait in the doctor’s
waiting room with other patients,” Dr Alexander said.
“None of the above locations visited by this person pose an ongoing risk.
“The time from exposure to onset of symptoms can be as long as 18 days.”
Measles symptoms include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed three or four days
later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body.
Measles can spread in the air through coughing or sneezing by someone who is unwell with the disease.
Dr Alexander said children and adults who have been exposed are at risk of developing measles if they are not already immune.
She said the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is safe and highly effective protection against measles.
NSW Health provides free measles vaccines for anyone born during or after 1966 who hasn’t
had two doses.
“If you are unsure whether you have had two, it is quite safe to have another,” a health spokeswoman advised.
“The SWSLHD public health unit is following up with anyone who may have been in contact
with the person and offering information and preventive treatment, if needed.”
Anyone with concerns about possible symptoms of measles should contact SWSLHD public health unit on 1300 066 055.
There have been a number of recent cases of travellers arriving in Sydney from overseas with measles.
Those planning overseas trips are advised to check with their GPs at least a fortnight in advance before leaving about possible vaccinations needed.
The NSW Government is spending $130 million in the 2019-20 Immunisation Program budget.