A measles alert has been issued by NSW Health this week in the South Western Sydney area. An individual who recently traveled to and returned from South-East Asia has been diagnosed with the highly contagious viral infection.
The case spent time in Ingleburn and Liverpool, and travelled on the 852 bus route between West Hoxton and Liverpool while unknowingly infectious. This is the fourth case of measles reported in NSW in September and is unrelated to recent cases in Lithgow and Richmond.
Potential exposure sites
Liverpool and Ingleburn: Tuesday 18 September -Tuesday 25 September 2018
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| 18 September | 852 Bus (Carnes Hill Marketplace to Liverpool via Greenway Dr and Cowpasture Rd and return) from West Hoxton to Liverpool, 10:10am to 11:25am.
Liverpool Centrelink and Medicare Office, 211-231 Northumberland St Liverpool, 11:00am-1:00pm Liverpool Westfield, Macquarie St Liverpool, 12:30pm-1:45pm 852 Bus (Carnes Hill Marketplace to Liverpool via Greenway Dr and Cowpasture Rd and return) from Liverpool to West Hoxton, 1:30pm to 2:40pm. |
| 19 September | Ingleburn Centrelink Office, 27/31 Carlisle St Ingleburn, 10:45am-12:30pm
Coles Ingleburn, Ingleburn Village, 100 Macquarie Rd Ingleburn, 12:00pm-1:15pm |
| 25 September | Liverpool Hospital Emergency Department, 75 Elizabeth St Liverpool, 10:15am-11:00am |
This case is yet another reminder of the importance for all people to ensure they are fully protected against preventable diseases such as measles prior to overseas travel.
Two doses of measles containing vaccine provide full immunity against measles in 99% of people. In Australia these are currently given at 12 and 18 months of age as part of the National Immunisation Program. Adults born between 1966 and 1994 should not assume they received two doses as a child, as there were a number of changes to the vaccination schedule during this time.
Anyone born after 1966 who does not have evidence of previous measles infection, or having received two doses of vaccine in the past can access free measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine from General Practitioners in NSW. People who are unsure whether they have previously received two doses can safely be given another dose.
