Woman, 21, with measles but officials say ‘no public threat’

A 21-year-old woman is South Australia’s first case of measles this year but officials say there is no threat to the public as she has not been in public areas while infectious.

The case has prompted an urgent reminder for people to check their vaccination records, particularly if travelling to South East Asia where the infectious disease is common.

SA Health’s Dr Louise Flood said the woman had contact with a household member who recently had the disease and is recovering at home.

“The household contacts of the recent case who are susceptible to measles have been in isolation so there is no risk of infection to the public,” Dr Flood said.

It follows a case in late December — one of only two in 2018 — where a 15-year-old girl visited several major retail locations in Adelaide’s northeast during the Christmas shopping rush while infectious, prompting a major health alert.

She came down with the disease following a trip to Asia.

Measles is highly contagious among people who are not fully immunised, and can be contracted by other people up to 30 minutes after an infected person has left the area.

Measles begins with a fever, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes, followed by a blotchy rash which begins on the head and then spreads down the body. Complications of measles can be severe.

SA Health urges people who have symptoms to phone the doctor before they visit and explain the situation so precautions can be taken to avoid spreading disease to others.

People born in Australia from 1966 are urged to check their vaccination records, and request the vaccine if there is no record of them receiving two doses.

Children receive their first measles vaccination at 12 months and a second one at either 18 months or four years old.