Health officials issue health warning for Aussie capital after new case confirmed

Health officials have issued an alert for people in Sydney to monitor for signs and symptoms of measles after a case was confirmed.

New South Wales Health said the person visited various locations across Sydney including a healthcare facility while unknowingly infectious.

Other locations listed as potential exposure sites include Only Coffee Project and Woolworths in Crows Nest as well as Crowne Plaza in Burwood.

A full list of locations is available on the NSW Health website with exposure locations and times being updated regularly.

Anyone who attended these locations is encouraged to monitor for symptoms.

If it has been less than six days since the exposure at these locations and you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system or have an infant who was exposed, you are advised to contact your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.

The case was a returning traveller from Japan where case numbers have recently been rising.

There have been 45 cases of measles confirmed since January 1 in NSW.

Dr Isabel Hess said symptoms to watch for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose, and a cough which is usually followed by a rash several days after.

“If symptoms develop and you’ve been at one of the locations at the time listed on the website, see your doctor or health service, including an emergency department. Call ahead to let them know that you may have come into contact with measles so you don’t spend time in waiting rooms with other patients,” the Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit Deputy Director said.

“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms for this period.”

The alert for Sydney comes after the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) issued a warning in March for a person who attended several locations across the district and surrounding suburbs after being in contact with another confirmed case earlier last month.

Measles is an airborne and vaccine preventable disease that is spread when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes.

“Importantly, we want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. Measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough,” Dr Hess said.

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective and free for children at 12 and 18 months of age.

It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses.

Children under the age of 12 months can have an extra, early, dose of MMR from six months of age if they are travelling overseas with parents advised to consult their GP.

People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses are advised to get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe, particularly prior to travel.

The MMR vaccine is available for people of all ages through GPs and for people over five years of age at pharmacies.