Measles Alert – Make sure you are fully vaccinated

5 April 2011

Hunter New England Health is urging people born during or after 1966 to ensure they are fully immunised against measles.

The warning comes after advice from NSW Health that there have been 42 notified cases of measles in NSW since the beginning of February. A number of these cases were directly linked with unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers returning from overseas, including the one person in the Hunter who returned from France where they became infected.

The majority of cases have been infected in Sydney.

Hunter New England Population Health’s Public Health Physician Dr Craig Dalton said measles is a very contagious disease and easily spread among unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people.

“Measles is a highly infectious virus that is spread through the air by someone who is unwell with the disease. Measles can be a very severe disease and can cause serious ear infections, pneumonia and even inflammation of the brain,” Dr Dalton said.

The good news is measles is preventable through vaccination.

“The free Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine is very safe and effective. It is recommended that children have the vaccine at 12 months and again at 4 years of age. Two doses of the vaccine are required for lifelong protection,” Dr Dalton said.

Dr Dalton said it was also important for people who are planning overseas travel to make sure they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine at least one month apart, from their GP or at a travel health clinic.

“In Australia most people diagnosed with measles have recently travelled overseas and not been vaccinated. However, most of the recent measles cases have no history of overseas travel. There has been local spread in Sydney among people who were not fully vaccinated,” Dr Dalton said.

“People travelling to Sydney should ensure that they and their children are fully vaccinated.”

Children and adults born during or since 1966 who do not have documented evidence of receiving two doses of MMR vaccine or evidence of measles infection are considered to be highly susceptible to measles.

“Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red, sore eyes,” Dr Dalton said. “A blotchy red rash develops after two to four days of symptoms, often starting on the face and spreading over the body.”

Dr Dalton said anyone with these symptoms should stay home from school or work and not go out in public. 

“If you experience these symptoms you should make an appointment to see your GP but make sure you call ahead so they can make arrangements to see you without exposing others in the surgery or waiting room,” Dr Dalton said.  “In the early stages you might only have a cough, fever, sore eyes and a runny nose. Talk to your doctor before you go to the clinic.”

More information can be found at http://www.health.nsw.gov.au

Contact: Sharna McCarthy

Phone: 4921 4501