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Measles alert for Perth and the Pilbara

Measles alert for Perth and the Pilbara

The Australian3 days ago
Fly-in-fly-out workers have been urged to get a measles vaccination after two new cases were detected in Western Australia.
Authorities said the new cases were linked to a cluster that was identified in Perth and the Pilbara last month.
WA Health director of communicable disease control Clare Huppatz said people travelling overseas or to mine sites should check their vaccination status.
'Measles is highly infectious and continues to pose a risk to non-immune people working on mine sites in regional WA,' she said.
Two more measles cases have been identified in WA and are linked a cluster detected in Perth and the Pilbara last month.
'However, international travel is still the most likely source of measles.'
Dr Huppatz said people aged between 30 and 60 years were most at risk and were less likely to have been fully vaccinated or previously exposed to measles.
'This is why I encourage anyone aged between 30 and 60 years, whether you are travelling for work or holidays, to check you are vaccinated against measles.'
Early symptoms include fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes, followed by a red non-itchy rash three to four days later.
The measles vaccine is free to anyone born after 1965, offers a high level of protection against the disease, and prevents spread in the community and can be accessed through a GP or pharmacist.
People can check WA Health for the latest exposure sites which included flights between Perth and Bali.
'Early symptoms include fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes, followed by a red non-itchy rash three to four days later,' Dr Huppatz said.
'The rash usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body and people usually feel very unwell.'
Read related topics: Vaccinations
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