Teenager in Tasmania’s South test positive to measles

A teenager has tested positive for measles after spending days in Tasmania’s Huon Valley, marking the state’s second case in weeks.

A teenager who has spent recent days in the Huon Valley has being diagnosed with a case of the measles.

It is the second case of the deadly disease in recent weeks after Tasmania’s first case in three years was detected on November 23 in Hobart.

The Department of Health was been notified of the teenager’s case after they tested positive on Tuesday. The individual is isolating and recovering at home.

The Department announced it would be running a free measles vaccination clinics at the Cygnet Town Hall on Wednesday and Thursday between 11am-5pm and another on Saturday at the Cygnet Family Practice between 10am-4pm.

Measles generic. Picture: Getty

The Department of Health is undertaking contact tracing to understand the person’s movements while infectious, as well as where they may have acquired their infection. Contact Tracing have revealed that the measles victim is likely to have acquired their infection from the recent measles case in late November, after visiting a listed public exposure site.

The person lives in Southern Tasmania and spent time in the Huon Valley and Channel areas while infectious. Department of Health is working to contact those who have had known exposure.

Public exposure locations are listed on the Department of Health website: are

Friday December 5

5:15 to 6:30pm: Woolworths complex Huonville, 45 Main Road, Huonville

Friday December 5 6pm to Saturday 6 December 9am

Franklin/Huon Rowing Club

Saturday December 6, 5pm to Sunday December 7 11am:

Franklin Foreshore, Franklin

Saturday December 6, 9.15 – 10.15am

The Grove Store (petrol), 1952 Huon Highway Grove

For updates go to www.health.tas.gov.au/measles

Measles vaccines are also available through general practices, many pharmacies and some local council clinics. While the vaccine is free for eligible people, an administration fee may apply.

Measles presents as a blotchy rash.

What is measles

Measles is a highly infectious illness caused by a virus that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes.

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, and all Tasmanians are strongly recommended to make sure they have received two measles-containing vaccines. If unsure, speak to your immunisation provider to discuss an additional dose for protection.

With this being the second case of measles in Tasmania in recent weeks, it is important that everyone is aware of the signs and symptoms of measles and where to seek care if symptoms develop.

Symptoms of measles may include: fever, runny nose, red eyes, cough, a red, blotchy rash usually starts a few days later, often spreading from the head to the rest of the body.

Anyone who has had contact with a measles case or visited a public exposure location listed on the Department of Health website should:

Monitor for symptoms of measles up to 18 days following exposure.

If symptoms develop, isolate and arrange to seek medical care as soon as possible.

Call ahead to a GP or local emergency department to let them know they might have measles.

This allows the health service to plan for the visit, by supplying a face mask to the person with symptoms and isolating them from others to prevent the infection spreading to staff or other patients.

People who are not immune are most at risk of catching measles. They are:

PEOPLE born during or since 1966 who have not had two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine

BABIES or young children under 18 months of age who have not yet had two doses of measles-containing vaccine

PEOPLE with a weakened immune system (e.g. undergoing chemotherapy, high-dose steroids), even if they have previously been vaccinated against measles vaccine or have had a past measles infection.

The measles-containing vaccine is routinely recommended for all children at 12 and 18 months of age. Infants aged 6 to

If you have questions about measles and vaccination, please speak to your GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

Originally published as Teenager in Tasmania’s South test positive to measles