There’s measles about in Northern NSW.
People in parts of Coolangatta, Cabarita, Pottsville, Murwillumbah and Tweed may have been exposed to measles between Saturday 30 March and Thursday 4 April.
To check if you might have been exposed, click here.
Symptoms of measles include fever, tiredness, sore eyes and a cough. Three or four days later a red, blotchy rash will appear. This rash starts on the head and then spreads to the neck or body.
If you think you have measles you should see a doctor straight away. Make sure you call ahead to your doctor so you don’t sit in a waiting room with other patients. You should also stay away from public places like work, schools or shops.
Yes. Measles is one of the most easily spread of all human infections. Just being in the same room as someone with measles can result in infection. It is usually spread in the air through coughing or sneezing by someone who has measles. You can protect against getting measles by having a measles vaccination.
Up to a third of people with measles have complications. These include ear infections, diarrhoea, and pneumonia, and may require hospitalisation. About one in every 1000 people with measles develops encephalitis (swelling of the brain). This can be life threatening.
Yes, there is a vaccine. The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is safe and effective protection against measles. You may also hear it called the MMR vaccine. It’s free for children and adults under 55. You need two doses of the vaccine for it to be most effective.
Thanks to immunisation measles is now rare in Australia.
It’s never too late to vaccinate.
If you or your children are aged over 12 months and under 55 and have not had two doses of the MMR vaccine, visit your GP – the vaccine is free.