NSW Health is urging people to ensure they are fully protected against measles, with two more locally-acquired cases taking the NSW total to nine since Christmas.
Acting Director of Communicable Diseases at NSW Health, Christine Selvey said the two new cases showed it was important for anyone born after 1965 to ensure they had received two measles shots.
Dr Selvey said both new cases occurred in adults aged between 20-55 years and both were acquired in Sydney.
“We know many adults in this age group have only had one dose of measles vaccine,” Dr Selvey said.
“Anyone unsure of their vaccination history should see their GP for another dose, which is free of charge,” she said.
Dr Selvey said most people with measles in Australia had picked up the infection during overseas travel.
“However the number of recent cases in and around Sydney means people may have been exposed locally and could be developing symptoms now or over the coming days and weeks.”
She said symptoms of measles included fever, cough, runny nose and sore red eyes, followed three to four days later by a red spotty rash which starts on the head before spreading to the rest of the body.
“NSW Health makes the measles vaccine available free anyone born during or after 1966 who doesn’t have two documented doses of measles vaccine.”
Dr Selvey said people who attended Chargrill Charlie’s, 178 Lyons Rd Drummoyne, between 6:30pm and 8pm on 13 January should be alert for symptoms until 31 January.
