Another measles case in Adelaide metropolitan area :: SA Health

Another measles case in Adelaide metropolitan area

8 February 2012

The Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB) has been notified of a case of measles in a woman from metropolitan Adelaide. The infection was acquired following exposure in Adelaide to a previous local case (Public Health Alert of 24 January 2012). Please be aware that further secondary cases may begin to present from now onwards.

People visiting the following sites at the times below potentially may have been exposed to measles virus:

  • Tuesday 31 January West Lakes Shopping Centre, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm.
  • Wednesday 1 February Cyprus Community Club, 8 Barpowell Road, Welland, 10.00 am to 3.00 pm.
  • Thursday 2 February Uniting Care Wesley Adelaide, Mile End, 9.30am to 12.00 pm.
  • Thursday 2 February Thebarton Neighbourhood House 10 Falcon Avenue, Mile End,10.00 am to 4.00 pm.
  • Thursday 2 February AMF Woodville Bowls 12.00 pm to 3.30 pm.
  • Friday 3 February Cheltenham Community Centre, 62 Stroud Street North, Cheltenham 9.30 am to 5.00 pm.
  • Friday 3 February on the 10.40 am train from Cheltenham to the City.
  • Friday 3 February Jasper's Coffee shop, Adelaide 11.00 am to 2.00 pm.
  • Friday 3 February on the 12.07 pm train from the City to Cheltenham.

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 7 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 9th 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.)

Enquiries

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

Dr Jane Raupach – A/Director, Communicable Disease Control Branch