Health department issues urgent warning over measles outbreak spreading across WA

A measles outbreak is spreading across Western Australia, with 47 cases now recorded in the state this year.

The WA Department of Health has issued an urgent warning to residents about the surge in cases since late September, including eight cases in the Pilbara region alone.

Communicable Disease Control Directorate director Dr Paul Armstrong said measles are highly infectious and can be spread from person to person via airborne water droplets.

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"Measles typically develops around 10 days after being exposed to the virus, but this can vary from 7 to 18 days," Armstrong said.

"Droplets in the air may still infect people entering a room up to 30 minutes after an infected person has left it."

A full list of exposure locations was shared by the Health Department, dating back to September 20, which included venues in South Hedland, Karratha, Port Hedland and Redbank.

The first exposure locations were Port Hedland Adventist Fellowship in Redbank, Karratha Adventist Fellowship in Pegs Creek and Ampol Foodary in South Hedland on September 20.

Infected cases also visited pharmacies, shopping centres, doctor's offices and Subway between September 22 and October 6.

You can find a full list of the exposure locations here.

"If someone not already immune to measles visited an exposure location during the specified dates and times below, they are advised to monitor for symptoms between 7 to 18 days after the visit," Armstrong said.

"Persons who have received two measles vaccinations and those born before 1966 are considered immune to measles, on rare occasions, vaccinated individuals may develop a mild illness."

Measles case numbers reached record lows in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, but are on the rise again as the highly contagious infection makes a resurgence around the world.

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What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles symptoms usually appear seven to 18 days after infection.

The most well-known symptoms of measles are a flu-like illness, which typically lasts two to four days, and a blotchy red rash.

The rash typically appears on the neck or face two to seven days after the symptoms start, then spreads to the body.

It does not itch but can last four to seven days. Other common measles symptoms include:

• fever
• cough
• runny nose
• tiredness
• conjunctivitis
• white spots in the mouth called Koplik's spots

In severe cases, which are not uncommon, other complications can arise including lung infection (pneumonia), ear infection, and brain inflammation (encephalitis).

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