Urgent health warning issued for Sydney after person with measles returns from Vietnam
Thousands of people in Sydney have been warned to stay alert for signs and symptoms of measles.
NSW Health issued the urgent warning on Monday after a person who had returned from Vietnam, where there is a large outbreak, and visited the city while contagious.
Anyone who was at the cafe Sir Reuben in Rozelle on Sunday between 12 and 1pm, and at Concord Hospital Emergency Department from 10.35pm on Saturday until 3.10am, has been urged to check if they have developed symptoms.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease which can cause serious complications and is a common cause of death in children under five in some parts of the world.
It is rare in Australia but there is an increased risk of the disease in the greater Melbourne area, NSW Health said.
There have been outbreaks in countries including Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia, which also increases the risk of it being brought back to Australia.
Sydney Local Health District Director of Public Health, Dr Leena Gupta urged Australians in the city to monitor their symptoms.
'Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes,' she said.
'Symptoms to watch out for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body.
'It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it's important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms up until 18 July.'
Anyone who develops symptoms must call ahead to their GP or emergency department to avoid them interacting with other patients in waiting rooms.
Measles is commonly spread when a person breathes in the virus which has been coughed or sneezed into the air.
The disease is thought to be one of the most easily spread of all human infections and being in the same room as someone can result in infection.
The infectious period usually stretches from just before the symptoms begin until four days after the rash appears.
Dr Gupta also reminded Sydneysiders to remain up to date with their vaccinations, adding that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is 'safe and effective'.
'The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough,' she said.
'Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine.
'This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.'
The MMR vaccine is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age and is free in New South Wales to anyone born after 1965 who hasn't already had two doses.
NSW Health advised that children under the age of 12 months can have their first dose of MMR up to six months early if they are travelling overseas.
Parents have been told to consult their GP
People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel.
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