Territorians are being warned to be alert for measles and to ensure they are immune following a third case of measles diagnosed in the Darwin area in the past three weeks.
Acting Director of the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Dr Charles Douglas, advised that the most recent case visited a number of places whilst infectious between 12 and 15 November, including the Royal Darwin Emergency Department, the Stuart Park shops, Palmerston Shopping Centre, the Palmerston Library and the Darwin Golf Club.
“People not immune to measles who were at these places at the same time or soon after the case visited are 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.”
“People who think they might have measles should seek medical advice from their GP 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 Douglas said.
“The symptoms of measles are fever, cough, runny nose and sore eyes, which usually occur 7-10 days after exposure to a person with measles, followed by a red blotchy rash 3-4 days later.
“Measles infection can be fatal and up to one third of people infected with measles will experience a complication, including ear infections, diarrhoea, pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain).”
The vaccine is now 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.
“These measles cases are 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 Douglas said.
More information about measles is available online at: Centre for Disease Control – Measles