Western Australian health authorities have issued a public alert after a traveller infected with measles visited medical facilities in Perth's southern suburbs.
Exposure Sites Identified in Beeliar
The Department of Health confirmed on Tuesday that a new case of the highly contagious disease had been diagnosed in the state. The infected individual visited two locations in Beeliar on Saturday, December 27.
Anyone who was at the Beeliar Hive Pharmacy between 10.15am and 11.15am that day is considered a potential contact. The same applies to those who attended the Lagoon Medical Centre, which houses the Beeliar Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, from 8.15am to 11.00am.
People who visited these exposure sites are urged to monitor themselves for symptoms for a period of seven to 18 days after their potential exposure.
Symptoms and Rising Case Numbers
Measles typically begins with symptoms that can be mistaken for a severe cold or flu. These include fever, fatigue, a runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a cough. Several days later, a distinctive red rash appears, often starting on the face and spreading down the body.
This latest infection brings the total number of confirmed measles cases in Western Australia this year to sixty. The infected individual had recently returned from overseas travel.
Expert Urges Vaccination Before Travel
The new case has prompted renewed calls from health experts for Australians to ensure their vaccinations are current before travelling abroad. Infectious diseases professor Allen Cheng highlighted the link between international travel and local outbreaks.
"Overseas travel accounts for just under half of the cases recorded in Australia," Professor Cheng said. "The rest, acquired locally, are typically linked to secondary exposure. So someone has come back from overseas and transmitted it to someone locally, which shows most cases originate overseas."
He offered clear advice for adults planning trips: "Make sure you're up to date with vaccines, not just for measles, but everything else as well. See your doctor before you go and allow a bit of time, not the day before you leave."
What to Do Next
Anyone who develops symptoms should contact their doctor by phone first to avoid potentially spreading the virus in a waiting room. It is also crucial to alert the clinic about your possible measles exposure before arriving.
For more detailed information on measles, exposure sites, and vaccination, the public is directed to the HealthyWA website.
The alert serves as a critical reminder of the importance of community vaccination in preventing the spread of serious but vaccine-preventable diseases.
