Department of Health issues measles warning
The Department of Health has today issued an alert after a measles case was confirmed in adult woman from Perth who has been admitted to hospital.
The patient was admitted to Royal Perth Hospital after presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with respiratory symptoms on Tuesday, 1 June.
Department of Health Medical Coordinator Communicable Disease Control Dr Paul Effler said laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis last night.
"This means the patient was infectious while in the ED, and we are working with RPH to contact susceptible individuals who may have been at risk," he said.
"Susceptible people who have been in contact with an infectious measles case can be given treatment to help reduce their chance of contracting the illness within a week of exposure so there is a short window of opportunity here."
A person is considered immune to measles if they have received two doses of the measles vaccine or if they are aged 45 years or older.
Dr Effler said individuals outside of those groups, who were in the RPH Emergency Department from 5pm on June 1 and 3pm on 2 June should contact the Department on 9388 4863 as soon as possible to determine if they could benefit from preventative treatment.
"This is especially important for infants, unimmunised pregnant women, and people with poor immune systems," he said.
Dr Effler said that this was the second measles infection to be diagnosed in Perth within two weeks. The earlier case was acquired outside of the country but this woman had not recently travelled internationally.
"Whenever a case is identified, we are concerned about the virus spreading into the local community," he said.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can cause serious disease. Complications following measles may include ear infections and pneumonia in about one in every 25 cases. About one person in every 2,000 may develop encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain.
Dr Effler said the symptoms of measles were fever, lethargy, runny nose, moist cough, sore red eyes followed a few days later by a widespread blotchy red rash.
"Anyone who develops measles-like symptoms - usually about 10 days after contact with a measles case - should seek advice from their GP," he said
"It's important that these patients call the doctor's office first and ask to be seen away from the waiting room to avoid the risk of any spread."
Dr Effler urged parents to ensure their children were up to date with their measles vaccinations, as it was the most effective way to prevent the disease.
"Two doses are necessary to provide high levels of protection," he said.
"The first measles vaccination is usually given at 12 months followed by a second dose at four years."
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