Measles alert Brisbane: Queensland Health issues warning after tracking infected woman

Queensland Health has issued a measles alert after a Victorian woman who travelled to Brisbane earlier this week tested positive for the extremely-infectious disease. The woman travelled from Melbourne to Sydney on June 25. She was already infected during her travel and stayed in Brisbane for three days.

She departed Melbourne at 10.30 a.m. on Jetstar flight JQ574. However, it is still unknown where the woman stays in Victoria or where she travelled to before flying to Brisbane. She travelled via train to Beenleigh Station. The woman also went to Beaudesert Fair Shopping Centre on Monday afternoon and then returned to Melbourne on Tuesday on flight JQ 569 at 12.45 p.m.

Queensland health authorities are now contacting those who may have been in contact with the woman during her stay in Brisbane. It is not known yet whether the Victorian authorities are also doing the same.

“Given the number of people potentially exposed, further measles cases could present in Brisbane or elsewhere over the next few weeks,” Metro South Health public health physician, Bhakti Vasant, told Brisbane Times.

Vasant has warned anyone uncertain of their immunity to contact their GP immediately. Measles is a highly-infectious disease that spreads through coughing and sneezing. The virus lives in the throat mucus and nose and may live up to two hours in an airspace where an infected person has sneezed or coughed.

Although coughing, red eyes, sore throat and fever are common symptoms, people may contract and spread the measles virus for days before symptoms begin to appear. The measles rash typically occurs three to five days after the first symptoms develop.

“This can be a very serious disease, so anyone developing measles-like symptoms within the next three weeks is encouraged to contact their GP for advice. 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,” Vasant added.

In case of an emergency, contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or visit Queensland Health.