South Australians are being urged to make sure they are immunized against measles following two separate measles cases this week.

Measles/CDC
Measles/CDC

SA Health’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Paddy Phillips said both cases were contracted overseas and people with holiday plans should ensure they have had two measles vaccinations prior to travel.

“SA Health has been notified of two cases of measles today in people who have recently been travelling in Southeast Asia,” Professor Phillips said.

“A 45 year old male who recently travelled to Thailand and a 21 year old female who recently travelled to Bali are both in hospital in a stable condition.

“Measles is highly contagious among people who are not fully immunized, and is spread through coughing and sneezing.

“The illness begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes, followed by a blotchy rash which begins on the head and then spreads down the body.

“Measles is common in Southeast Asia so it is vital that people travelling to those regions check that they have had two doses of a measles vaccine before leaving home.”

SA Health is urging anyone who isn’t fully immunized or who was in the locations listed below to be alert for symptoms over the next two weeks and seek medical attention if necessary.

Professor Phillips said if people believe they have the symptoms of measles to contact their doctor prior to their visit.

“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,” Professor Phillips said.

“We are especially encouraging people to check their vaccination records and request the vaccine if there is no record of them receiving two doses and they were born in Australia after or during 1966.

“People born in the late 1960s to mid-1980s may believe they are fully immunized but may have only received one measles vaccine and be at risk of measles.

“If you were born during or after 1966 and haven’t received two measles vaccines, visit your GP or local council immunisation clinic to obtain a measles (MMR) vaccine.

“Children receive their first measles vaccination at 12 months and a second one at 18 months of age.”

There have been four confirmed cases of measles to date this year in South Australia, compared to four cases in South Australia for all of 2015.

Locations:

  • Adelaide Airport on Monday 29 August 2016 from 8:20am to 10:00am and Thursday 8 September from 6:35am to 9:00am 2016.
  • Tullamarine airport, Melbourne on Monday 29 August 2016 from 5:20am to 8:00am.
  • Qantas flight QF36 from Singapore with a scheduled arrival in Melbourne of 5.20am on Monday 29 August 2016.
  • Qantas flight QF673 from Melbourne and a scheduled arrival in Adelaide of 8:20am on Monday 29 August 2016.
  • Jetstar flight JQ128 from Bali with a scheduled arrival in Adelaide of 6:35am on Thursday 8 September 2016.
  • Coles supermarket, Gawler Green Shopping Centre, Evanston Gardens from 6.00pm until 7:30 pm on Tuesday 30 August 2016.
  • Woolworths Caltex station, 367 Main North Rd, Evanston in the late afternoon / early evening on Thursday 1 September 2016.
  • Australia Post, Willaston on Friday 2 September 2016.
  • Gawler Hospital emergency department from 8:45am to 10:00 am and 5:15pm to 10:00pm on Tuesday 6 September 2016.
  • Hyde and Partners Medical Centre, 6 Adelaide Road, Gawler South from 3:30pm to 5:45pm and on Tuesday 6 September 2016.
  • Adelaide Hills Medical Clinic, 2 Johnson Street, Stirling, from 9:00am to 10:30am on Thursday 8 September 2016.
  • Flinders Medical Centre emergency department from 10:30am to 12:30pm on Thursday 8 September 2016.