Case of contagious disease confirmed in city Measles outbreak fears
DARWIN healthcare workers are bracing for an expected outbreak of the potentially deadly measles virus.
And anyone who has been to a Mitchell St nightclub, the Nightcliff shops, Supercheap Auto at the Homemaker Village or Territory Trophies Precision Engraving in Woolner in the past week might have been exposed.
Centre for Disease Control director Vicki Krause said a case of the highly contagious disease had been confirmed in Darwin.
“This case is a local resident who acquired the disease while in Cambodia and on return to Darwin has visited several places while infectious,” Dr Krause said.
“This means there is likely to be people with symptoms of measles in Darwin from today for the next two to three weeks.” The patient also went to two GP practices and the Royal Darwin Hospital emergency department being diagnosed.
The CDC is contacting those who are believed to have come into contact with the infected person.
Dr Krause said people had to have had two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to be immune to the disease.
“Even if uncertain that you have not had a second dose get one now as it is not harmful to have an extra dose,” she said. before
“The vaccine is free for those who do not have two documented MMR vaccines.”
Dr Krause said anyone who believed they may have the disease should call ahead before going to a medical practice, to allow staff to minimise the risk of the patient passing on the disease to others.
The scare follows a measles outbreak in March which was the Territory’s worst in five years.
Nine people were hospitalised and 30 infected during the month-long outbreak.
The symptoms of measles are fever, cough, runny nose and sore eyes, which usually occur seven to 10 days after exposure, followed a few days later by a red blotchy rash, which often starts on the face and then becomes widespread over the body.
Complications include ear infections, diarrhoea, pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain).