Metro North Public Health Unit has confirmed a case of measles in an adult male from Kenmore who returned recently from overseas.
Public Health Physician Dr James Smith said the man is believed to have visited Coles supermarket at Kenmore on Tuesday 6 December, 2016 and Thursday 8 December 2016 while unknowingly infectious.
“It is important to make clear that this supermarket has not been responsible for causing any risk to public health,” Dr Smith said.
“Measles is one of the most infectious of all communicable diseases and is spread by tiny droplets through coughing and sneezing.”
Measles symptoms usually start around 10 days after contact, but can occur between seven and 18 days after contact with an infectious person.
The initial symptoms of measles include fever, lethargy, runny nose, moist cough and sore and red eyes. This is followed a few days later by a blotchy, red rash. The rash often starts on the face then becomes widespread over the body.
Anyone who develops measles-like symptoms within the next week or two should stay home and contact their GP for advice.
If you do need to seek treatment, it is important to call the medical practice first to say you could have measles, so that staff can take precautions to avoid spreading the disease to others.
Vaccination is recommended for anyone born during or since 1966, who has not had two documented doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine or had proven measles. MMR vaccine is funded and anyone requiring vaccination should arrange this through their family doctor.
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