Measles case

8 February 2012

SA Health has issued a public health alert about the highly infectious measles virus following a confirmed case in South Australia this week.

SA Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paddy Phillips said the 44-year-old woman from metropolitan Adelaide has been linked to the recent measles case in late January.

“Measles is highly contagious among people who are not fully immunised, and is spread through coughing and sneezing,” Professor Phillips said.

“The illness begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes, followed by a rash which begins on the head and then spreads down the body.  Complications of measles can be severe.

“We are advising anyone who was in the locations listed below during these times to be alert for symptoms over the two weeks after that potential exposure and if they are ill to see a doctor.

“It is very important that people phone their GP ahead of any visit and mention why they are attending, so that precautions can be taken to avoid spreading disease to others.”

• Tuesday 31^st January, West Lakes Shopping Centre, 10.00am to 2.00pm. 
• Wednesday 1^st February, Cyprus Community Club, 8 Barpowell Rd, Welland, 10:00am to 3:00pm.
• Thursday 2^nd February, Uniting Care Wesley Adelaide, Mile End, 9.30am to 12.00pm.
• Thursday 2^nd February, Thebarton Neighbourhood House 10 Falcon Ave, Mile End,10.00am to 4.00pm
• Thursday 2^nd February, AMF Woodville Bowls 12.00pm to 3.30pm.
• Friday 3^rd February, Cheltenham Community Centre, 62 Stroud Street North, Cheltenham 9:30am to 5:00pm.
• Friday 3^rd February, on the 10.40am train from Cheltenham to the City.
• Friday 3^rd February, Jasper's Coffee shop, Adelaide 11.00am to 2.00pm. 
• Friday 3^rd February, on the 12.07pm train from the City to Cheltenham.

An alert has been issued to General Practitioners advising them of this case.

SA Health has contacted the businesses the woman visited during the infectious period.

Immunisation provides the best protection against measles. Two doses of measles containing vaccine are strongly recommended for all persons born after 1965.

People in this age group are encouraged to check their vaccination records, and request the vaccine if there is no record of two doses of measles vaccine.

This is the second case of measles reported in South Australia during 2012. There were four cases reported in 2011.

A fact sheet about measles can be found on SA Health’s website: www.sahealth.sa.gov.au

For more information call the SA Health Media Line.

Telephone: (08) 8226 6488