Measles alert for Sydney’s west after baby diagnosed with disease

Residents in Sydney’s west have been told to monitor for symptoms after a baby was hospitalised with a highly infectious disease.

Western Sydney residents have been warned to be on alert for signs of measles after a baby was hospitalised with the disease. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Western Sydney residents have been warned to be on alert for signs of measles after a baby was hospitalised with the disease.

The infant had recently returned from South East Asia where there have been ongoing outbreaks, and was too young to be vaccinated.

NSW Health issued a list of venues and a flight, asking people to monitor for symptoms if they were at the location on the same date and time.

Measles is highly infectious. Picture: istock

• Flight VJ085 from Ho Chi Minh City, arriving at Sydney International Airport on March 2 at approximately 8am.
• Sydney International Airport on March 2, approximately 8am-10am.
• Rhodes Waterside on March 2, 11am-12.45pm and March 8, 12.30pm-1.10pm.
• The Children’s Hospital at Westmead emergency department on March 5, 10.30pm-March 6 12.30am, and March 6, 2.30am-2.15pm.
• The Children’s Hospital at Westmead from March 8-13.

Symptoms include fever, sore eyes, runny nose 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 is spread through the air when an infectious person coughs or sneezes.

It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear following exposure.

Director of the Public Health Unit at Western Sydney Local Health District, Catherine Bateman said people should be monitoring for symptoms until March 31.

“Anyone who develops symptoms should see their GP and call ahead to make sure they are not put in the waiting room with other patients,” she said.

Measles is highly infectious.

The infant was hospitalised earlier this month. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

NSW Health has urged anyone who was born during or after 1966 to make sure they have received two doses of the free measles vaccine.

“Two doses of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine provide lifelong protection against measles. If you’re not sure whether you’ve been immunised against measles, it’s safe to have a dose,” she said.

“Measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world. Travellers should check they are protected against measles before heading overseas.“

“Infants from 6 months of age can have an MMR vaccination if travelling overseas. Talk to your GP if you need more information.“