The Metro North Public Health Unit has issued a measles health alert after confirming that a man infected with measles travelled through various locations in Brisbane and Redcliffe earlier this month whilst contagious.
Read: Upgraded Emergency Department Opens at Redcliffe Hospital
The man had recently flown from Indonesia to Brisbane on 3 July 2023. During his travels from July 3-14, he visited several businesses and public places along Brisbane’s northside and the Redcliffe peninsula.
Those locations and times include:
- Flight QF40 from Jakarta to Melbourne, on Sunday 2 July, departed at 9:20 p.m.
- Melbourne Airport on Monday 3 July, between 6:20 a.m. and 9:50 a.m.
- Flight QF610 from Melbourne to Brisbane on Monday 3 July, departed at 9:50 a.m.
- Brisbane Domestic Airport on Monday 3 July, between Noon and 1:00 p.m.
- Nudgee Service Centre, 1097 Nudgee Road, Nudgee, on Monday 3 July, between 1:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m, and again on Saturday 8 July, between 11:00 p.m. and 11:40 p.m.
- CJ’s Pastries, Ashmole Road and Klingner Roads at Kippa-Ring on Monday 3 July, between 1:40 p.m. and 2:10 pm
- Vital Life Centres, 1 Jeays Street, Scarborough, on Tuesday 4 July, Wednesday 5 July, Saturday 8 July between 8am and 11:30 a.m, and on Monday 10 July between 3:00 pm and 4pm
- Kippa-Ring Shopping Centre, on Tuesday 4 July between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- City Cave Redcliffe Sauna, 265 Oxley Ave, Margate, on Saturday 8 July, between 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
- Dan Murphy’s, 867 Stanley St, Woolloongabba, on Saturday 8 July, between 6:15 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- DFO Skygate at Brisbane Airport on Sunday 9 July, between 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (in particular, at the Volcom outlet and in the food court)
- Redcliffe Hospital Emergency Department on Thursday 13 July, between 4:15 p.m. and 10:00 p.m, and again on Friday 14 July, between 8:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
According to health experts, anyone who visited these same locations during the specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles. Queensland Health urges anyone potentially exposed to monitor themselves closely for early symptoms for 18 days from the date of possible exposure.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that initially causes fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Within a few days, a blotchy red rash typically develops which spreads across the body. Measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death in some cases.
Dr Megan Young, a physician with Metro North Public Health said if anyone develops symptoms, they should isolate themselves and seek medical advice immediately.
“Anyone seeking treatment for an illness they think could be measles should call ahead before visiting their GP or medical practice to allow precautions to be taken that can prevent the illness spreading to others,” Dr Young said.
Read: Redcliffe Nurse Chelsea Lategan Dies at 28 After a 10-Year Battle With Leukaemia
Health officials warn against complacency regarding measles vaccination. Children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, whilst adults born in or after 1966 are advised to get vaccinated if they have no documentation of having received two MMR doses or having had the disease previously.
Published 20-July-2023