[ad_1]
Another case of measles was diagnosed in Victoria, this time for a person having spent several hours at the Melbourne airport.
Health authorities said the disease was contracted abroad and that the affected person was in transit through the Melbourne airport for several hours on Tuesday, 19 March.
Dr. Brett Sutton, Public Health Officer in Victoria, said the case was unrelated to any of the eight measles cases reported to the Department of Health this year.
In the most recent case, the affected person took Jetstar flight JQ517 from Sydney to Melbourne and went to terminals two and four at Melbourne Airport from 3:30 pm to 7 pm.
The person also boarded the Virgin Australia VA99 flight between Melbourne and Christchurch between 6:35 pm and 11:35 pm.
Dr. Sutton said any unvaccinated person was at greatest risk of getting measles.
"People must have received two doses of measles vaccine to be fully protected. Many adults have only received one measles vaccine and so most cases belong to this age group, "he said.
Most people born before 1966 will have been exposed to measles as children and will be protected.
However, adults born in or after 1966 can be predisposed, especially if a trip abroad is planned, and should consult their doctor for a free vaccination.
"There is a lot of measles currently circulating in our area, particularly in much of Southeast and Southeast Asia. All travelers must be aware of this risk, "said Dr. Sutton.
Just two weeks ago, a Sydney resident contracted measles a few days after returning from the Philippines.
The man of about thirty years had to be hospitalized for his symptoms, but he was no longer contagious and did not recover at home.
Earlier this month, NSW Health issued an urgent warning about measles, fearing that a young woman and her baby would spread the disease.
The woman, who arrived in Sydney from Bali by Qantas Flight QF44 around 0630 on 21 February, visited the International Airport and Opera House as well as the Langham Hotel on Kent St in Sydney.
The baby, who was too young to be vaccinated, developed the disease after returning from the Philippines.
The symptoms of measles include fever, sore eyes and a cough, followed by a red rash on the head and neck, which spreads to the rest of the body.
"If you develop symptoms, please call your doctor so you do not wait in the waiting room with other patients," said Vicky Sheppeard, director of NSW Health.
Measles is highly contagious and spreads in the air by a cough or sneeze by a sick person.
Measles cases have exploded around the world because of the complacency of parents who do not vaccinate their children, UNICEF said.
Australia presents a high risk of importing measles because of its occurrence in Southeast Asia.
Source link
