Urgent health alert as measles cases confirmed on Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast in Queensland
Urgent health alerts have been issued after multiple cases of measles were detected in south-east Queensland.
Two cases have been confirmed on the Sunshine Coast and a third on the Gold Coast in the past few days.
Queensland Health said one person attended Clover Hill Public School in Mudgeeraba between 8.30am and 3.30pm on October 7 and unknowingly contracted the disease.
Those traveling on afternoon school buses from the elementary school to Austinville and from Tulipwood Drive, Bonogin, to Austinville on the same day may also have been exposed to measles.
Warnings were also issued for 16 places on the Sunshine Coast visited by two people who were unknowingly infectious at the time.
These places include:
• Caloundra Minor Illness and Injury Clinic: 3pm – 3.35pm on Monday 13 October
• Caloundra Minor Illness and Injury Clinic: Monday 13 October 09.50-11.00
• Coffee Club at 30 Esplanade, Bulcock Beach – 7.30am – 9am on Monday 13 October
• Three Restaurants at 115 Bulcock St, Caloundra: 6pm to 10pm on Sunday 12 October
• Power Boat Club, 2 Lamerough Pde, Caloundra: 9.30am to 12.30pm on Sunday 12 October
• Power Boat Club, 2 Lamerough Pde, Caloundra: 13.30 – 17.00 on Saturday 11 October
• Cafe Sisily, 40 Landsborough Pde, Golden Beach: Saturday, October 11, 10:00 – 11:00
• Woolworths Caloundra: 13:00 – 15:00 on Friday 10 October
• Aldi Caloundra: Friday 10 October 13:00 – 15:00
• McDonalds Caloundra: Thursday 9 October between 20.30 – 23.00
• Power Boat Club, 2 Lamerough Pde, Caloundra: 7pm to 8.30pm on Thursday 9 October
• Power Boat Club, 2 Lamerough Pde, Caloundra: 09.30-13.00 on Thursday 9 October
• Pocket Espresso Bar, 6 Seaview Tce, Moffat Beach: Thursday, October 9, 07.30-09.00
• Pelican Waters Bowls Club, 49 Nelson St, Golden Beach: 4pm to 5.30pm on Wednesday, October 8
• Woolworths Caloundra: 13:00 – 15:00 on Wednesday 8 October
• Motor Boat Club, 2 Lamerough Pde, Caloundra: 10am to 12.30pm on Wednesday 8 October
Queensland Health warns that anyone who visited these locations on the specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles and should be alert for symptoms for up to three weeks from the date of exposure.
“Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through coughing and sneezing or through direct contact with secretions from the nose or mouth,” the ministry said.
“Symptoms usually begin seven to 10 days after contact with an infected person, but can sometimes last as long as three weeks.”
Initial symptoms of measles may include fever, lethargy, runny nose, cough, and eye pain.
This is followed a few days later by a splotchy, red rash that often starts on the face and spreads throughout the body.
Queensland Health says people at highest risk of contracting the disease include those with a compromised immune system, have not previously had measles or were born in 1966 or later, and have no documented evidence of receiving two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.
Anyone showing symptoms of measles can contact their doctor to get tested or call 13 HEALTH for advice. People who think they may have measles are asked to stay away from public spaces.
