An individual with measles likely acquired the infection on a recent overseas trip to Indonesia, prompting a reminder that the best way to protect yourself and your family against measles is vaccination, particularly for those travelling overseas.
The case is being managed by ACT Health.
The case attended the following public venues in the ACT while infectious:
Flight QF1433 from Sydney to Canberra on Wednesday 15 February 2023.
Canberra Airport from 11am to 11.30am on Wednesday 15 February 2023.
Canberra Centre on Wednesday 15 February 2023 during these approximate times:
Madeleine’s Café on Level 2 of the Marian Building at the Calvary Public Hospital Bruce from 3pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 15 February 2023.
People who attended these sites at the times listed are at risk of exposure to measles.
All people who attended these locations at the listed times should monitor for symptoms of measles between 22 February and 5 March 2023.
Contacts of the case from Flight QF1433 from Sydney to Canberra will be identified by ACT Health and will receive an email or an SMS.
This is a reminder to stay up to date with your measles vaccination, which can be obtained from your GP or NSW pharmacist.
People are not immune if they:
have not previously received two doses of measles-containing vaccine (with both doses given at ≥ 12 months of age and at least four weeks apart) or had a measles infection and
are aged 16 years or older and born after 1965, and
are not pregnant or immunocompromised.
Alison Nikitas, Acting Director of Public Health for Southern NSW Local Health District (LHD), said anyone who was at any of these places at these times should monitor for symptoms of measles.
“People should seek medical advice if symptoms of measles develop before or on Sunday 5 March 2023,” Ms Nikitas said.
Symptoms include:
- fever
- tiredness
- runny nose
- sore eyes
- cough
- rash.
The virus is spread from an infectious person during coughing or sneezing or through direct contact with secretions from the nose or mouth.
Ms Nikitas advised that it is important that people with symptoms contact their healthcare provider before they arrive so that appropriate infection control precautions can be put in place by the healthcare provider.
They should wear a mask when they leave their home.
“Measles is a serious disease and is highly contagious among people who are not fully immunised,” said Ms Nikitas.
“Every case of measles in our community is a reminder that vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family against measles.”
"Two doses of Measles Mumps Rubella vaccine (MMR) are required for immunity against measles and are given to children in Australia at 12 and 18 months of age. However, the vaccine can be given at any age after nine months.”
“With many more people travelling following the end of pandemic border restrictions, we are encouraging people to check their immunisation status and get up to date if needed before travelling.”
For more information view the NSW Health measles factsheet.