A measles alert has been issued for Mackay and Brisbane after a woman tested positive to the highly contagious diseases on Friday.
The Mackay woman, 31, was active in Mackay and Brisbane and travelled between both cities while infectious.
Public Health Physician Dr Steven Donohue said people born after 1965 who were not fully vaccinated against measles (two documented doses of MMR or proven infection) should see their GP immediately.
The woman became unwell while visiting relatives in Brisbane on Sunday 17 April with fever, cough and watery eyes. She was contagious when she visited the following areas:
- Saturday 16 April, morning Indooroopilly shops and a netball game in Graceville and the 2pm performance of The Sound of Music at QPAC.
- Sunday 17 April, Virgin flight VA613 2.50pm Brisbane to Mackay.
- Monday 18 April, Canelands and Mt Pleasant shopping centres and Noodle 1 on Sydney St.
- Tuesday 19 April, North Mackay library and Mt Pleasant shops.
If you have been to any of these places at these times and are not vaccinated you should contact your GP.
Dr Donohue said the woman saw her GP on Thursday and had been in home isolation since. She has not required admission to hospital.
It is unclear whether her infection was linked to other cases of measles in Airlie Beach and Proserpine in recent weeks.
Initial symptoms of measles include fever, lethargy, runny nose, moist cough and sore and red eyes. This is followed a few days later by a blotchy red rash. The rash often starts on the face then becomes widespread.
Dr Donohue said measles was highly contagious and could be caught by breathing the same air as an infected person.
“Serious complications can include pneumonia and encephalitis. If you become sick with fever, phone your GP before you arrive and let them know you may have measles, so that processes are in place to protect other patients from exposure,” Dr Donohue said.
More Information
Danielle Jesser, Media and Communications Manager
mhhs-comms@health.qld.gov.au
Phone 0417 756 221
