People who visited gyms, swimming pools and restaurants in Melbourne last week have been urged to be on the look out for signs of measles.
A man in his 20s became infected after returning from Thailand earlier this month, before spending hours in the Noble Park Aquatic Centre and a number of Goodlife Health Clubs.
The young man returned to Australia from Bangkok on May 4, but Victoria’s deputy chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton said he did not become infectious until later.
He may have been spreading the disease when he spent the day at the Noble Park Aquatic Centre, from 7am to 4pm, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week.
He also might have been infectious at:
- The Goodlife Health Club in Dingley, 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Tuesday May 8.
- The Goodlife Health Club in Chelsea Heights, 5pm to 6pm on Wednesday May 9.
- Chez Dré café in South Melbourne, 10am to 11am on Saturday May 12.
- Westfield Fountain Gate including the YOMG restuarant in Narre Warren, 1.30pm 3pm on Saturday May 12.
People who visited these locations who develop illness over the next week are being advised to alert their doctor or hospital emergency department but there is no ongoing risk of acquiring measles at these places.
Measles is a very infectious disease that can be prevented through vaccination, though some adults aged between 26 and 52 may have missed out on the jab and are being encouraged to make sure they are inoculated before travelling overseas.
The illness often begins with cold symptoms such as a runny nose, red eyes and a cough – followed by a fever and rash. It can lead to pneumonia and other serious complications.
"The characteristic measles rash usually begins three to seven days after the first symptoms, generally starting on the face and then spreading to the rest of the body,” Dr Sutton said.
The case follows a string of measles outbreaks linked to people who had recently been travelling in Asia. The disease is now uncommon in Australia because of the widespread use of the measles vaccine.
Children should receive their measles vaccine in Australia at 12 months and again at 18 months. Most people over the age of 52 will have been exposed to measles in childhood, and therefore will be protected.