Territorians are being warned to be alert for measles and to ensure they are immune, particularly if they are travelling to Bali with confirmation of a case in Darwin this week that was acquired on the Indonesian holiday destination.
Acting Director of the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Dr Peter Markey, advised that the case visited the Royal Darwin Hospital Emergency Department on 1, 2 and 3 November and Coles supermarket in Palmerston at 7pm on 29 October.
“People who are not immune to measles who were at these locations during the same period or soon afterwards would be at risk of contracting the disease,” he said.
To be immune you need to have had measles previously or have had two doses of the measles-containing vaccine, known as the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The symptoms of measles are fever, cough, runny nose and sore eyes, which usually occur 7-10 days after exposure to a case, followed by a red blotchy rash 3-4 days later.
“People who think they might have measles should seek medical advice but it is important to phone in advance so that arrangements for infection control can be made to prevent the spread of the virus to other people,” Dr Markey said.
“There is a lot of measles in Bali at the moment and there will be plenty of people travelling there from Darwin at the end of the school year, so it is absolutely vital for everyone to ensure that they are measles immune.
“If you are not immune to measles you will eventually catch it,” he said.
The vaccine is given as part of the routine national vaccination schedule at 12 and 18 months.
The Northern Territory has a well vaccinated population. However, because of a one-dose vaccination schedule in the 1970s and 80s, some people in the 18-48 year age group may not be immune even if their parents had followed the schedule.
“This latest measles case is a reminder for all people to check their immune status and get vaccinated at their local community care centre or GP if required. The vaccine is free,” Dr Markey said.
“Up to one third of people infected with measles will experience a complication. Complications are more common in young children and adults and include ear infections, diarrhoea, pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and may require hospitalisation. Measles infection can be fatal,” Dr Markey said.
More information about measles is available online at: