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Canberra Today 15°/17° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Measles warning after sick infant visits Canberra

ACT Health is working with NSW to follow up on a confirmed measles case in an infant who was in Canberra for a few hours over lunchtime on Sunday, August 19.  

The infant arrived in Sydney from South-East Asia and, in addition to briefly visiting Canberra, has been travelling around NSW. While in the ACT, the family visited the Canberra Centre. 

ACT Public Health Specialist Dr Andrew Pengilley said there was a low risk to members of the public contracting measles from this situation.

“While there is a low risk of transmission in this case, generally the measles virus is very infectious and non-immune people can sometimes contract measles from incidental contact with a sick person,” Dr Pengilley said.

“If people who were at the Canberra Centre over the lunch period on Sunday, August 19 become unwell with symptoms of measles over the next two weeks, they should seek medical advice.

“Typical symptoms of measles infection include fever, tiredness, cough, sore eyes and a runny nose.

“Symptoms will usually happen within 10 days of contracting the illness and people typically develop a rash a few days after these symptoms occur.

“Those most susceptible to measles are infants under 12 months of age who are too young to be vaccinated, anyone who has not been fully immunised against measles and young adults,” Dr Pengilley said.

 

 

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