Health authorities are urging Sydneysiders and Canberrans to be on the lookout for signs of measles after a case was confirmed in an international traveller.
The case is an adult who had been returning from India, where measles outbreaks have been occurring in recent weeks.
Those who were on Air India flight AI 302 from Delhi to Sydney on January 20 at 8.10am or in the International Arrivals area of Sydney Airport are urged to monitor for symptoms due to the contagious case.
The person also boarded a Murrays Bus from Sydney to Canberra about 10.30am on the same day, with those who were on that bus to be contacted by health authorities.
They then attended the Canberra Hospital Emergency Department between 4pm on January 21 and 1.10pm the next day.
The locations no longer pose a risk to the public, but NSW Health’s director of communicable disease Dr Christine Selvey urges anyone who could have been exposed to the highly infectious disease.
“Symptoms may appear between 7 and 18 days after an exposure, so it’s important for people to stay vigilant if they’ve been exposed, and if they develop symptoms, to please call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients,“ Dr Selvey said.
“Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body,“ Dr Selvey said.
The case acquired the infection on the recent trip overseas, according to ACT chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman.
“ACT Health is currently investigating a case of measles and can confirm, at this time, there have been no further linked cases,” Dr Coleman said.
Health authorities are also urging those born in or after 1996 to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine.
“Measles is a serious disease and is highly contagious among people who are not fully immunised,” Dr Coleman said.
“Whenever a case of measles is identified in our community, it is a strong reminder that the best way to protect yourself and your family against measles is vaccination.
“If you’re not sure if you’ve received two doses of the vaccine, there’s no harm in getting a third dose to make sure you have the best protection from measles.”