Measles alert hits city

Unvaccinated tourist spreads disease

HEALTH officials are warning shoppers who visited Cairns Central Shopping Centre last week to immediately visit their GP over a measles outbreak.

Public health senior medical officer Dr Julie Mudd said an adult female tourist who recently visited Cairns had developed measles while staying in Townsville.

She in turn was believed to have contracted the disease from another tourist in Victoria. The measles alert has been issued for people who visited the following areas:

• March 13-15: Cairns Central YHA, McLeod St, Cairns and surrounding shops, including Cairns Central

• March 15: Travelled on a Greyhound bus from Cairns (departing 1.45pm) to Townsville (arriving 7.40pm)

• March 15-20: Rambutan Backpackers, Townsville

• March 19: Terry White Chemmart, 280 Flinders St, Townsville (about 1.30pm-2.30pm).

GPs and hospitals in the area have been alerted to the outbreak and will be on hand to provide assistance.

Cases may develop over the next two weeks.

Dr Mudd said businesses Flinders St, and venues were on the alert and have been contacted with information for workers and patrons where possible.

“Anyone born after 1965 who was in these areas and who has not been fully vaccinated against measles should see their GP immediately,” she said.

“If you are sick with fever, phone ahead to inform the practice that you may have measles, so that processes are in place to protect other patients from exposure.”

She acknowledged the efforts of the affected businesses, which so far had been co-operating to the best of their ability with health officials to assist staff with vaccinations.

“It is important to make it clear that these businesses have not been responsible for causing any risk to public health,” she said. Queensland Health recommends anyone born during or since 1966, who has not had two documented doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine or had proven measles, should visit their local GP to get vaccinated for measles.

The vaccine is free for anyone who requires it.

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