Measles exposure warning issued for western Sydney after infectious case visits multiple public locations
Health authorities have issued a measles alert in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains after a confirmed case unknowingly visited multiple public places while being contagious, prompting an urgent warning for residents to monitor for symptoms.
Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) said the case was transmitted to several exposure sites in the region and surrounding suburbs after coming into contact with another confirmed case earlier this month.
Officials stressed that the listed venues do not pose an ongoing risk, but anyone who was there at the same time should be alert for symptoms for 18 days after exposure.
Exposure sites include Woolworths Jordan Springs on March 17.
Locations on 18 March included Baby Bunting Penrith in Jamisontown, Kmart Penrith in Nepean Village, Brell House in St Marys and Young Academics Early Learning Center in Cranebrook, which was also revisited on 20 March.
Other sites include Scent Method Warehouse and Terry White Chemist Jordan Springs in Prestons on March 19, Parx Coffee House and Subway Jordan Springs in Cranebrook on March 20 and XS Espresso Jordan Springs on March 21.
A full list of locations and times is available at: NSW Health websiteDisplay sites continue to be updated.
People at higher risk, including pregnant women, those with compromised immune systems and infants who may have been exposed, are advised to contact their local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 if less than six days have passed since exposure.
Eloise Milthorpe, Director of NBMLHD’s Center for Population Health, urged anyone who visited the listed locations to monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if they feel unwell.
“If you develop symptoms and have been to one of these places… contact your doctor or health service, including the emergency room. Call ahead to let them know you may have been exposed to measles so you are not spending time in waiting rooms with other patients and not wearing a mask,” Ms Milthorpe said.
Early symptoms include fever, eye pain, runny nose and cough, followed a few days later by a red, splotchy rash that usually starts on the face and spreads throughout the body, he said. It also warned that it could take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after exposure.
Measles is a highly contagious but vaccine-preventable disease that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Ms Milthorpe urged people to make sure they were up to date on the vaccine, noting that vaccination could still help prevent infection after exposure if given early enough.
“More importantly, we want to remind the community to make sure their vaccinations are up to date. The measles vaccine can prevent disease even after exposure if given early enough,” Ms Milthorpe said.
He added that anyone born after 1965 should make sure they have two doses of the vaccine, especially before traveling abroad, given the ongoing epidemics in various parts of the world.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is free for children aged 12 and 18 months, and is also available free for anyone in NSW born after 1965 who has not received two doses of the vaccine.
Children under 12 months can also receive an early dose from six months of age if they travel abroad; Parents are advised to consult a general practitioner.
MMR vaccines are available through GPs for people of all ages and in pharmacies for people over five years of age.
