Illawarra residents who visited a Woonona cafe earlier this month could have been exposed to measles and should watch for symptoms of the highly infectious disease according to health authorities.
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NSW Health has issued a statewide alert after an infant with measles visited a number of locations in January before the disease was detected.
That included a visit to the North Break Cafe on Park Road, Woonona, from around 4pm to 4.30pm on Friday, January 18. It also included several locations in central Sydney and Campbelltown.
The Western Sydney girl – who was too young to be vaccinated – recently returned from a trip to south-east Asia.
People who spent time in the same place as the infant are urged to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of measles until February 9, as the time from exposure to onset of symptoms can be up to 18 days (usually around 10 days).
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness which begins with a cough, fever, sore, red eyes, and runny nose, followed three to four days later by a red spotty rash which begins on the face and neck and spreads to the rest of the body.
Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention, with NSW Health recommending calling ahead to a GP or emergency department to alert them so that measures can be taken to limit exposure to others.
The measles vaccine is offered to children under the National Immunisation Program at 12 and 18 months of age.
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The new case – the ninth measles case in the state since Christmas – prompted NSW Health to urge those planning to travel with children under 12 months to discuss their travel plans with their doctor.
“While this child was too young to have received the vaccine prior to travel, the schedule can be adjusted for children travelling to high risk areas for measles, with the first dose being administered as early as nine months of age, after consultation with a doctor,” NSW Health stated.
“Your doctor can also discuss other travel related risks with you, many of which are preventable.”
All people 12 months of age or older, and born during or after 1966 are recommended to receive two doses of measles vaccine.
Measles vaccine is available for free from GPs in NSW for people who do not have evidence of measles immunity. For people who are unsure of whether they have previously received two doses, it is safe to receive more than two.
