Measles case in Adelaide metropolitan area

19 December 2011

The Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB) has been notified of a case of measles in an unvaccinated woman from metropolitan Adelaide. The infection is thought to have been acquired overseas.

Please be aware that secondary cases may begin to present from now onwards.

During the infectious period the case visited the following sites, and people visiting these sites during the hours indicated may have been exposed:

• Oriental Hotel, 120 Magill Road, Norwood: 11 Dec 4.00 pm to 8.30 pm
• Foodland, 177 Glen Osmond Road, Frewville: 12 Dec 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm
• Fountain Corner Family Practice, 57-59 Unley Road, Parkside: 13 Dec 8.45 am to 11.30 am; 16 Dec 9.30 am to noon; 16 Dec 2.00 pm to 4.45pm
• Blockbuster, 365 Shepherd’s Hill Road, Blackwood: 14 Dec 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm
• Hansen Yuncken Building ground floor, 191 Fullarton Road, Dulwich: 12 Dec 8.45 am to 7.15 pm 15 Dec 9.00 am to 11.30 am
• Sound Diagnostic Radiology, 257 Fullarton Road, Parkside: 16 Dec 11.30 am to 2.15 pm
• Ashford Hospital Emergency Department: 17 Dec 5.00 pm to midnight

Incubation period and symptoms

Measles is highly contagious viral infection transmitted via respiratory aerosols which remain a risk to others for up to two hours after the infectious person has left the area. The incubation period is about 10 days (range seven to 18 days) to the onset of prodromal symptoms and about 14 days to the appearance of the rash. The illness is characterised by cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, a descending morbilliform rash, and fever present at the time of rash onset. The infectious period is from five days before the appearance of the rash to four days after the appearance of the rash.

Suspected cases

For all suspected cases of measles:

• Arrange urgent laboratory testing through SA Pathology, including measles IgM and IgG (specify both) (clotted serum tube, white top), a throat or conjunctival swab in viral transport medium, and urine in yellow top container if possible
• Isolate suspected and confirmed measles cases and exclude from childcare/ school/ workplace until at least four days after the appearance of the rash
• Ensure that all household contacts are protected against measles as indicated in the Australian Immunisation Handbook 9^th edn pp 209 to 211
• Doctors are asked to urgently notify any patient suspected to have measles to the CDCB on 1300 232 272 (24 hours, 7 days). Do not wait for laboratory confirmation.

Minimise transmission in the surgery

• Examine patients suspected of having measles in their own homes whenever possible
• For suspected cases, avoid using the waiting room and conduct consultation in a room that can be left vacant for at least two hours afterwards
• Treat all people who attend the rooms within two hours of the (confirmed) infectious patient as contacts
• Maintain surveillance for more cases in your practice

Review the vaccination status of all persons during or after 1966 who attend your practice for any reason, and offer MMR vaccination to all susceptible people (those who have no vaccination or only 1 dose).

For all enquiries please contact the CDCB on 1300 232 272 (24 hours/ 7 days)