NSW Health issues measles alert for Sydney

NSW Health has advised people to be alert for measles symptoms after a confirmed case who was infectious while visiting several locations across Sydney.

The person recently returned from South-East Asia, where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles in several countries, including Indonesia.

People who attended the following locations are being urged to watch for the development of symptoms:

• Sydney Metro and T4 Train Lines – Macquarie University Station to Edgecliff Station via Martin Place Station at various dates and times between Wednesday, December 3 and Saturday, December 8.
• Gran Torino Restaurant, 24 Bay Street in Double Bay, at various dates and times between Wednesday, December 3 and Saturday, December 6.
• Macquarie Centre Food Court, Waterloo Road at Macquarie Park, between 3.30pm and 5.30pm on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6.

The locations do not pose an ongoing risk, NSW Health said.

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"Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body," Northern Sydney Local Health Public Health Unit director doctor Michael Staff said.

The full list of locations and times can be found here.

"Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes," Staff said.

"Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.

"It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it's important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms up until 27 December.

"If they develop symptoms, they should call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.

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"We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough.

"Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment."

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