The Sunshine Coast Health’s Public Health Unit is managing a confirmed case of measles in a local resident who has recently returned from Vietnam.
The health service is now in the process of contacting all persons who are at risk of developing the disease, which is very infectious and spread by coughing and sneezing
The infectious person was on Flight VJ083 from Vietnam to Brisbane on Wednesday, December 4.
They transited through Brisbane Airport between 10.30pm and midnight that day. They were picked up by Uber from the airport before travelling to the Sunshine Coast.
They then attended the Sunshine Coast University Hospital emergency room on Friday, December 6, between 6.30pm and 7pm.
Anyone who visited these venues during the specified periods may have been exposed to the disease and needs to look out for symptoms, which include high temperatures, a cough and a runny nose, followed by a red spotty rash and sore, watery eyes a few days later.
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Symptoms usually start 7-10 days after the contact with the infected person but can sometimes take as long as three weeks.
Anyone who develops symptoms of measles should seek medical care. Wear a mask and call ahead to make sure you can be isolated from others.
Persons suspecting of having the disease should be tested, advised to isolate, and notified to the Department of Health immediately by calling 13HEALTH.
Healthcare professionals should be alert for measles in patients with fever and rash, particularly those who have recently returned from overseas or attended a listed exposure site during the specified period.
