Measles cases linked to Bali flight
WA Health urged people travelling overseas to get a measles vaccination before they depart following the most recent cases.
A health department spokesman said the most recent case was a traveller on Jetstar flight JQ108 which departed Perth about 6.30pm on July 22.
Two other cases were reported from travellers on the same flight but were in separate parties and were not seated together.
One of the infected travellers has visited multiple locations throughout Perth's south since they arrived back into Australia on Jetstar flight JQ117 at 1.30am on July 28. Three measles cases in Perth have been linked to travellers on the same Bali flight. NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui Credit: News Corp Australia
Authorities are contacting people exposed at the locations, but the public is urged to check the list of exposure sites on the Department of Health website.
Communicable Disease Control acting director Clare Huppatz said measles is highly contagious and it was not surprising that it had spread to other passengers who travelled on a plane with an infectious person.
'Anyone who is not immune is at risk of developing the disease if they are exposed,' she said.
'Measles can be severe for some people and can require hospitalisation, but it is preventable through vaccination.
'It's important for people to monitor for symptoms if they visited the venues on the exposure locations at the times listed.' Health authorities are urging travellers to get a measles vaccine before they travel from their GP or pharmacist. Credit: Supplied
Dr Huppatz said early symptoms included fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes, followed by a red non-itchy rash three or four days later.
'The rash usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body,' she said.
Dr Huppatz encouraged anyone planning overseas travel to see their GP or a travel doctor to discuss appropriate vaccinations prior to their trip, adding that a free MMR vaccine is available to adults who are not fully vaccinated.
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