NSW Health has issued a community warning to be alert for the symptoms of measles after the highly-contagious disease was diagnosed in the State.
A backpacker and a primary school student have been diagnosed with the highly contagious disease, taking the total number of people diagnosed with measles in NSW since December to 25.
The backpacker, who is in his 20s, was infectious while staying at the Central Perk Backpacker’s Hostel in Haymarket in Sydney’s CBD. He is believed to have been vaccinated against measles as a child, but the number of doses cannot be verified.
The local Public Health Unit has visited the hostel to provide preventive injections and advice to other residents.
Parents of students at Bonnyrigg Heights Primary School, where the child with measles attends, were also advised to watch out for symptoms in their children.
Students who haven’t had two doses of measles vaccine should stay away from the school until April 2.
The local Public Health Unit is contacting other patients who may have come into contact with the infectious child at the medical centre and hospital.
Director of Communicable Diseases at NSW Health, Dr Vicky Sheppeard said while the places visited by the man and student pose no ongoing risk, people who may be susceptible to measles and were there at same time should contact their local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.
“Preventive injections can be given to highly-susceptible people up to six days after exposure to measles,” Dr Sheppeard said.
“If you develop symptoms, please call ahead to your GP to ensure you do not wait in the waiting room with other patients,” Dr Sheppeard said.
She said it could take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear following exposure but symptoms included fever, sore eyes and a cough followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash spreading from the head and neck to the rest of the body.
