Health unit issue measles alert Gold Coast

The public health unit have issued a warning after a person visited several Gold Coast locations unknowingly infected with measles.

The public health unit have issued a warning after a person visited several Gold Coast locations unknowingly infected with measles.

The person who recently arrived from overseas travelled around the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast between Wednesday and Saturday.

The Gold Coast locations and the times they visited were:

- Yo-chi, Surfers Paradise, Wednesday, April 2, between 10.15am and 11am.

- Cotton On Surfers Paradise, Wednesday, April 2, between 11am and 12.30pm.

- Ghanda Clothing, Surfers Paradise, Wednesday, April 2 between 11am and 12.30pm.

- Holey Moley Mini Golf – Circle on Cavill, Surfers Paradise, Wednesday, April 2 between 2.15pm and 3.45pm.

- Bunk Hostel, Surfers Paradise, all day April 2 until 10am April 3.

- Goldies, Surfers Paradise, Wednesday, April 2 between 6.45pm and 8pm.

The measles virus, paramyxoviridae from the Morbillivirus family, transmission microscopy view. (Photo by: BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Dr Alexandra Uren said anyone who had visited these locations during these periods should monitor themselves for symptoms for the next 18 days.

“Early symptoms of measles include a fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and red, inflamed eyes,” Dr Uren said.

“Those symptoms then progress to a blotchy red rash, which often starts on the face before becoming widespread.”

Symptoms typically start between seven and 18 days after infection.

“Anyone seeking treatment for an illness they think could be measles should call ahead before visiting their GP or medical practice to allow precautions to be taken that can prevent the illness spreading to others,” Dr Uren said.

Measles is a highly infectious illness which can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and inflammation of the brain.