By Bianca Soldani

Copyright news

It brings Queensland’s total number of measles cases this year to 21, with a number of recent instances seen in Cairns, Townsville, the Gold Coast, and the rural town of Middlemount near Mackay.

The latest case confirmed on Thursday afternoon is believed to have contracted the potentially deadly disease while recently in Bali, and they visited about a dozen locations in Maloolaba and Brisbane between September 19 and 21 while unknowingly infectious.

Health authorities are urging anyone who was at the exposure sites to monitor for symptoms for 18 days after the potential exposure.

“Early symptoms of measles include a fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and red, inflamed eyes,” Metro North Public Health physician Dr Doug Shaw said.

“Those symptoms then progress to a blotchy red rash, which often starts on the face before becoming widespread.”

Symptoms typically start between seven and 18 days after infection and anyone who develops them should seek medical advice.

Calling ahead before visiting a medical practice is recommended so appropriate precautions can be taken to prevent further spread.

With Brisbane Lions fans about to descend on Melbourne’s MCG for the AFL Grand Final on Saturday, there are fears the disease may potentially spread to that state.

A measles infection can cause severe disease or death, by bringing on complications such as a lung infection, middle ear infection and brain inflammation.

The best protection against measles is the vaccine.

Queenslanders born after 1965 can access the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine free of charge if they haven’t already had two doses.

The full list of exposure sites can be found here and includes:

Outside Mooloolaba Fish Market on Sunday, September 21 between 5.30pm and 6.45pm

Outside Artigiano Gelato (Mooloolaba Esplanade) on Sunday, September 21 between 4.45pm and 5.45pm

Surf Dive and Ski (Mooloolaba Esplanade) on Sunday, September 21 between 4.15pm and 5pm

La Casa Restaurant (Mooloolaba Esplanade) on Sunday, September 21 between 1.30pm and 2.30pm

Woolworths West Village on Saturday, September 20 between 1pm and 2pm

Harris Farm Markets West End on Saturday, September 20 between 12.30pm and 1.45pm

Yiayia’s Pantry Toowong on Saturday, September 20 between 11.30am and 12.45pm

Woolworths Skygate (Brisbane Airport) on Friday, September 19 between 9.30pm and 10.30pm

Brisbane Domestic Airport (arrivals area) on Friday, September 19 between 9pm and 9.45pm

Miss Sophia’s Gelateria (Stafford Road) on Friday, September 19 between 8.15pm and 9pm

Uroko Sushi (Everton Park Plaza) on Friday, September 19 between 7.15pm and 8.45pm