Brisbane residents have again been asked to be alert for measles symptoms after another traveller from Bali returned with measles.
Since returning the person attended a Diplo DJ concert at the RNA Showgrounds on March 10, shopping centres in Acacia Ridge and Sunnybank and the QEII Hospital.
The person was infectious from March 6 until March 11.
Health officials are very worried further cases of measles could emerge because the person was infected at the time they visited a number of heavily populated areas between the central city, Sunnybank Hills and Calamvale since they returned from Bali.
This includes:
- QEII Hospital;
- the Ice World Olympic Ice Rink at Acacia Ridge;
- Market Square shopping centre, Sunnybank Hills;
- the Diplo DJ concert at the RNA Showgrounds;
- some pathology collection centres in the Sunnybank-Calamvale area.
Brisbane's Metro South Health (MSH) Public Health doctor Kari Jarvinen said there was a risk more measles cases could emerge because the person was infectious at the time they went to these locations.
"Public health staff have already contacted people known to have been in close contact with the case," Dr Jarvinen said.
"But given the number of people potentially exposed, further measles cases could present in Brisbane or elsewhere over the next few weeks," he said.
Dr Jarvinen said the case was a timely reminder that Bali had been a source of measles infection for Australian travellers in recent weeks.
"Anyone planning travel should talk to their doctor, to make sure they have received appropriate vaccinations", he said.
"Measles should be thought of as a possible cause of illness in people who become sick after visits. It is one of the most infectious of all communicable diseases and can cause fever, cough, runny nose, then a red spotty rash and sore eyes a few days later."
Dr Jarvinen said anyone adequately vaccinated was very unlikely to get the disease.
However he encouraged those uncertain of their immunisation record against measles to speak to with their doctor.
"This can be a very serious disease, so anyone developing measles-like symptoms over the next few weeks is encouraged to contact their GP for advice," he said.
"It is very important to call the medical practice first to say you could have measles, so that staff can take precautions to avoid spreading the disease to others."
It is the second set of serious concerns about measles raised by Queensland Health this month.
For more information on the measles virus visit: http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthConditions/2/Infections-Parasites/41/Viral-Infections/748/Measles
