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Queenslanders have been warned about the dangers of measles and travel abroad after more than half of the 12 cases already diagnosed this year are linked to overseas travel.
Health officials said people born after 1965 – especially those planning a trip abroad – should receive two doses of measles vaccine for their protection.
Dr. Jonathan Malo, from the Communicable Diseases Division, explains that people traveling abroad without receiving two doses are at a higher risk of getting the infection.
"The majority of measles cases we see are people who go abroad, then come back to Queensland, where the infection can spread more among those who are not immune." ", said Monday to the press.
"It can be a very serious disease and that's why people die of measles worldwide."
Of the 12 cases of measles confirmed in Queensland in 2019, three were contracted abroad.
But they infected five more people when they returned home.
Two other cases were contracted from one state to another and one of these cases infected another person upon his return to Queensland.
"There is a group of people born from 1966 to 1994 where there was only one dose containing the measles vaccine provided – it's the highest risk group," said the Dr. Malo.
The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella) is free in Queensland and anyone who does not know if he has received two doses should consult his general practitioner for vaccination, he said.
In 2018, 14 cases of measles were confirmed in Queensland.
Australian Associated Press
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