Territorians are being asked to be alert for measles following a confirmed case of the disease in Darwin this week.
The person acquired the measles overseas and returned to Darwin on Jetstar flight JQ74 from Ho Chi Minh City at 6.15 a.m. on Wednesday 4 February 2009. The person visited Casuarina Square shopping centre on the afternoon of 5 February and again on 9 February.
Head of Disease Surveillance at the Centre for Disease Control, Dr Peter Markey, said "We have already taken steps to contact people at high risk of exposure to infection and offer preventive treatment for those who aren't immune.
"There is a small risk that passengers and visitors to the airport early on 4 February and visitors to Casuarina Square on 5 and 9 of February may also have been exposed."
Dr Markey explained that measles is a very contagious viral illness spread between people through coughing and sneezing.
"The symptoms of measles are fever, cough, runny nose and sore eyes which occur usually 10 days after exposure to a case, followed by a red blotchy rash three to four days later.
"To be immune to measles you need to have had measles previously or have had two doses of the measles vaccine. Anyone not immune to measles who feels they may have been exposed and are experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to seek health advice from their local health provider or the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the NT."
CDC contact details:
- Business hours: (08) 8922 8044.
- After hours: (08) 8922 8888 and ask for the on-call CDC doctor.
If you suspect you have symptoms suggestive of measles, and intend visiting a healthcare facility, it is important to phone in advance so that arrangements can be made to prevent the spread of the virus to other people.
People not vaccinated against measles are urged to seek protection by getting a vaccination at their community health centre (in the NT) or through most General Practitioners.
More information about measles is available online at -
http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Centre_for_Disease_Control/Publications/CDC_Factsheets/index.aspx
Media Contact: Darrel Trueman, 0401 116 203; Cameron Jackson, 0401 116 144
Release date: 12 February 2009
