Person tested positive to measles on the Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit (SCPHU) has confirmed a case of measles in a person on the Sunshine Coast.
Public Health Physician Dr Margaret Young said the SCPHU is working with all healthcare facilities or venues the person has visited.
The person is believed to have visited the below locations while unknowingly infectious:
- Monday 25 June, between 9am and 3pm – the Sippy Downs campus of University of the Sunshine Coast
- Thursday 28 June, between 8:30am and 10am – the Maroochydore Medical Centre on Horton Parade Maroochydore, including the QML Collection Centre
- Friday 29 June, between 10:30 and 11:30am – the Maroochydore Medical Centre on Horton Parade, Maroochydore
- Sunday 1 July, between 7:40pm and 8:15pm – the Department of Emergency Medicine at Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
What to do if you think you might be at risk
The SCPHU has urged anyone who has visited the above areas to ensure they are immune to measles. If you are showing any symptoms of measles, contact your regular doctor immediately.
It is also very important to call the medical practice in advance to alert them, so staff can take precautions to avoid spreading the illness to other patients.
In particular, anyone born after 1965 who has visited these areas and is not fully vaccinated against measles (two doses of MMR – Measles, Mumps & Rubella vaccine) should contact their doctor immediately.
What are the symptoms of measles?
The initial symptoms of measles include:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Runny nose
- Moist cough
- Sore and red eyes.
A few days later, a blotchy, red rash will also appear. This will often start on the face and spread over the body. Measles symptoms usually start showing approximately 10 days following contact but can occur anywhere between 7 and 18 days after contact with an infectious person. It is spread by tiny droplets through coughing and sneezing.
