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Thanks anti-vaxxers. There's a measles outbreak in Australia.

 

NSW heath authorities are warning people who have visited a suburb in Sydney’s inner west recently to be on the lookout for symptoms of measles.

According to a Facebook post from the Sydney Local Heath District, anyone who went to Leichhardt MarketPlace, Norton Plaza or the library between July 15 and 24 runs the risk of being infected.

The warning comes after an infected person visited those locations “multiple times” over the 10 day period.

Measles is spread when a person who is infected breathes, coughs or sneezes on another person. According to NSW Health, “the time from exposure to becoming sick is usually about 10 days,” but a person with measles can pass on the infection in the days before symptoms begin.

And that’s what makes it so dangerous.

If you’re worried about the spread of measles or that you – or your children – haven’t had the necessary vaccinations to fight the infection, here’s what you need to know.

The following information comes for the NSW Heath website

What are the symptoms?

Fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes and feeling unwell. A few days later a rash appears. The rash starts on the face, spreads down to the body and lasts for 4-7 days. The rash is not itchy.

Up to a third of people with measles have complications. These include ear infections, diarrhoea and pneumonia, and may require hospitalisation. About one in every 1000 people with measles develops encephalitis (swelling of the brain).

How is it spread?

Measles is usually spread when a person breathes in the measles virus that has been coughed or sneezed into the air by an infectious person. Measles is one of the most easily spread of all human infections. Just being in the same room as someone with measles can result in infection.

People with measles are usually infectious from just before the symptoms begin until four days after the rash appears. The time from exposure to becoming sick is usually about 10 days. The rash usually appears around 14 days after exposure.

Who is at risk?

Measles was common before 1966, so most people born before then are immune.

People at risk of measles include:
-people born during or since 1966 who have never had measles and who have not had two doses of measles containing vaccine from the age of 12 months.
-people with a weak immune system (e.g., people who are receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer or people who take high-dose steroid medications) even if they have been fully immunised or have had past measles infection.
– people who are not immune and who travel overseas.

How is it prevented?

– The best protection against measles is immunisation with two doses of MMR vaccine (measles, mumps & rubella). This vaccine provides protection against infection with measles, as well as against mumps and rubella.
– MMR vaccine should be given to children at age 12 months and a second dose as MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella & varicella) should be given at 18 months of age.
– Anyone born during or after 1966 and who has never had measles infection or measles vaccination should see their doctor to make sure that they have had two doses of measles containing vaccine at least four weeks apart.
– It is safe to have the vaccine more than twice, so people who are unsure should be vaccinated.
– People with measles should stay at home until they are no longer infectious (i.e. until 4 days after the rash starts).
– For people who are not immune and have come into contact with a person with measles, infection can sometimes still be prevented with measles containing vaccine if given within 3 days of exposure or with immunoglobulin (a treatment made from blood that will protect against measles when injected) within 7 days of exposure.

Copyright Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong

How is it diagnosed?

– Measles is suspected when a person feels unwell, has a cough, runny nose or sore eyes and a fever followed by a rash.
– Whenever measles is suspected, a blood test and samples from the nose, throat and urine should be collected to confirm the diagnosis. Confirmation of the diagnosis is important as it allows prompt public health follow-up of other people who are at risk of measles.

How is it treated?

– People with measles infection are normally advised to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take paracetamol to treat the fever. There is no specific treatment.
– While a person is infectious with measles it is important that he or she remains at home to reduce the possibility of spreading it to other people.

You can find more information via NSW Heath here. 

If you’re worried you or someone close to you has measles, contact your GP immediately.

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