By Dominic Cansdale
Copyright abc
The highly infectious measles virus has been detected on the Gold Coast, as the rising number of cases in Queensland puts health authorities on edge.
Queensland Health has issued an alert for the Gold Coast, just a day after new cases were detected in Cairns, Far North Queensland.
An adult who recently returned from Bali was unknowingly infectious when he visited gyms, shops and chemists across the Gold Coast over the past week.
Further north, nine cases have been identified by the Cairns and Hinterland Health Service since August 1.
Measles is an acute, highly infectious viral illness that can cause pneumonia, inflammation of the brain and middle ear infections.
It can be fatal, primarily for children under the age of 5, and cause severe complications for people with a chronic illness.
Chief Health Officer Catherine McDougall said the cases were all linked to people who had returned from overseas travel.
“We know there are measles outbreaks occurring in a number of other countries,” Dr McDougall said.
“If you have recently returned from overseas or a close contact of an overseas traveller, and develop fever or respiratory symptoms, please arrange to see your doctor.”
Measles symptoms include fever, tiredness, cough, and a runny nose or inflamed eyes, which can become more severe over three days.
It is spread from coughing and through direct contact with the nose of mouth.
People can be infectious for around five days before a rash appears, and around 10 days before other symptoms become apparent, according to Queensland Health.
‘Easily preventable’ disease
The outbreak in Far North Queenland has prompted Cairns Hospital to introduce a mask mandate, with the maternity ward listed as an exposure site.
The first case was linked to backpacker hostels in Cairns.
Dr McDougall said the measles vaccine, which was part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule in Australia, was the best protection.
“Studies show it is around 98 per cent effective against measles,” she said.
“We urge anyone who has not had their measles vaccine or who is unsure of their vaccination status to make an appointment with their GP or health care provider, especially those planning on travelling overseas.”
A free immunisation clinic will open at the Southport Community Centre on Monday and at the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre on Tuesday.
Another measles case was detected at Tweed Valley Hospital, just south of the border between Queensland and New South Wales, on Monday September 15.
