There have been eleven confirmed cases of measles notified in Victoria in the last few weeks. The original source of the infection is unknown at this point. This means there may already be further cases in the community which have not been diagnosed.
As measles is highly infectious through airborne transmission, other secondary cases are likely to occur in susceptible people. Measles has an incubation period of between 7 and 18 days (average 14 days from exposure to rash) so should be considered in any susceptible person who presents with a compatible illness, with an onset date between 5 September 2017 and 17 October 2017.
What is Measles?
Measles is a contagious viral illness that causes a skin rash and fever. Serious and sometimes fatal complications include pneumonia and encephalitis (brain inflammation). Measles is also known as rubeola, not to be confused with rubella (German measles). Worldwide, measles is the fifth highest cause of illness and death in children.
Measles is rare in Australia because of the widespread use of the measles vaccine. It is important to continue immunising children in Australia, because there is a risk that the infection can be brought in by people arriving or returning from overseas.
Symptoms of measles
The signs and symptoms of measles may include:
- fever
- general discomfort, illness or lack of wellbeing (malaise)
- runny nose
- dry cough
- sore and red eyes (conjunctivitis)
- red and bluish spots inside the mouth (Koplik’s spots)
- red and blotchy skin rash that appears first on the face and hairline, and then spreads to the body.
If you have any of the above symptoms please contact us now!
Please refer to following websites for more info on this matter.
https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/about/news-and-events/healthalerts/measles-02-october-2017
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/measles
