Warning over infectious disease
Queenslanders are being told to remain vigilant after a person unknowingly infected with measles went to multiple tourist spots, stations among other places across the state.
The alert was issued on Sunday evening after an adult with measles visited several businesses and locations across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast between April 2 and April 5.
The adult had landed from overseas and was infectious with the disease when they visited Australia Zoo, a mini golf venue, multiple train stations, shops and hostels last week, according to the Metro North Public Health Unit alert.
Metro North Public Health physician Dr Alexandra Uren said those who visited the locations should monitor themselves for 18 days on from the date of potential exposure.
'If they do develop symptoms, they should seek medical advice,' Dr Uren said.
'Early symptoms of measles include a fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and red, inflamed eyes. Those symptoms then progress to a blotchy red rash, which often starts on the face before becoming widespread.'
'Measles symptoms typically start between seven and 18 days after infection.
'Anyone seeking treatment for an illness they think could be measles should call ahead before visiting their GP or medical practice to allow precautions to be taken that can prevent the illness spreading to others,' Dr Uren said.
Measles is very contagious and spread by the coughing and sneezing of infectious people, or direct contact with nose or mouth secretions, according to the Queensland Health website.
It can cause serious complications including pneumonia and encephalitis, as well as middle ear infections.
'Measles should not be regarded as a simple mild disease. Deaths occur mainly in children under 5 years of age, primarily from pneumonia, and occasionally from encephalitis,' the Queensland Health website stated.
'Complications are more common and more severe in people with a chronic illness and very young children.'
Anyone who visited the following locations have been urged to monitor for symptoms:
Yo-chi, 11/3240 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise on Wednesday 2 April, between 10:15am and 11am
Cotton On, 27 Cahill Ave, Surfers Paradise on Wednesday 2 April, between 11am and 12:30pm
Ghanda Clothing, 25 Cahill Ave Surfers Paradise on Wednesday 2 April between 11am and 12:30pm
Holey Moley Mini Golf – Circle on Cavill, Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise on Wednesday 2 April, between 2:15pm and 3:45pm
Bunk Hostel, 6 Beach Rd Surfers Paradise, all day Wednesday 2 April and until 10am on Thursday 3 April
Goldies, 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise on Wednesday 2 April between 6:45pm and 8pm.
Brisbane
Bunk Hostel, 21 Gipps St, Fortitude Valley on Thursday 3 April and until 7am on Friday 4th April
Brooki Bakehouse, 15 Marshall Street, Fortitude Valley on Thursday 3 April between 12pm and 12:30pm
Sushi Hub, 136 Queen Street Brisbane on Thursday 3 April between 1:30pm and 2pm
Cotton On, Queen Adelaide Building 90/90 Queen Street, Brisbane on Thursday 3 April between 2pm and 3:10pm
Central Station Brisbane on Friday 4 April between 6:45am and 7:30am
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Emergency Department waiting room on Friday 4 April between 7:45pm and 11:00pm.
Nambour train from Central Station Brisbane to Beerwah Station, on Friday 4 April, leaving 7:07am and arriving at 8:27am
Springfield train from Beerwah Station to Central Station Brisbane on Friday 4 April, leaving 5:03pm and arriving 6:26pm
Australia Zoo on Friday 4 April, between 8:30am and 5pm.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
State hit by record outbreak of deadly virus
Thousands of whooping cough cases have emerged in one Australian state, as experts lay the blame on low immunisation and poor personal hygiene. Queensland has recorded 2,384 cases of whooping cough since the beginning of the year, nearly three-and-a-half times the 2023-24 average, according to Queensland Health. Concern is rising that this year could be part of a larger upwards trend, as in 2024 Queensland also recorded 15,012 infections, a sum larger than the previous 11 years combined. Mater Hospital Brisbane director of infectious diseases Professor Paul Griffin said the numbers show a disturbing trend. 'It's very clear that the numbers are high, and so seeing nearly 2,400 cases already this year, it is a very significant number and that's tracking along at … about six and a half times what we'd normally see this time of year.' Professor Griffin told NewsWire. 'The case numbers are very high and unfortunately with a disease like whooping cough, when there's high numbers of cases, that means we will see some of those progress to more significant disease.' Whooping cough can be a very significant disease and can lead to pneumonia, brain damage and sometimes death according to the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. 'People do need to pay attention to these numbers and make sure they understand that whooping cough isn't (usually) around in high numbers,' Professor Griffin said. 'It is a very significant disease. Not everyone is going to get really sick, but unfortunately enough people will.' Whooping cough can be detrimental to vulnerable communities, such as young children and pregnant women. 'If people haven't seen, a baby who's got more severe disease, the fact that they cough or they vomit and they cough so much they can't eat or drink, it's just terrifying to see,' Professor Griffin said. 'This is what does happen from whooping cough and why we need mums to get vaccinated in pregnancy and children particularly to get vaccinated as scheduled.' Since Covid-19, Aussie vaccination rates have steadily declined, as well as personal habits which prevent disease such as frequently washing hands, using masks, and staying out of crowded areas. 'Unquestionably … the reduction in vaccination rates will be a factor, as will the fact that I think … people are probably doing the least to address the transmission of respiratory infections that we've done for five years or more,' Professor Griffin reflected. 'For a while we were very good that if someone had respiratory symptoms, we would get them to stay home. We wouldn't take them to school or go to work. We'd get them tested and do all the right things to address transmission. 'But I think we're probably doing a lot less of that at the moment.' Concerningly, vaccination rates among infants have also dropped – 90.8 per cent of one-year-olds received their whooping cough jab in 2023, nearly 4 per cent less than at the end of 2018, Queensland Health data shows. The whooping cough vaccine is free during pregnancy, children aged 18 months, two, four, and six, and young adults between 12 and 19. For those who have a vague memory of getting the jab, a booster vaccination is recommended every ten years. 'The whooping cough itself is very significant. But if we add to that the record-breaking start to the flu season and high numbers of RSV and still some Covid around, that's a lot of respiratory infections for us to have to deal with, even ahead of the expected peak in winter,' Professor Griffin said. 'So if we don't do some more to slow that down, we could be in for a very significant winter period with a burden of disease on our healthcare system that's going to be difficult to manage.'
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Yahoo
Measles alert hits tourism hotspots
A person infected with measles has travelled around popular Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast tourism spots, as health authorities warn people in those areas to watch for symptoms. The person arrived from overseas, the Queensland government says, as outbreaks of the disease run rampant across the globe. The patient visited restaurants, shops, train stations and hostels in the major southeast Queensland city areas from April 2 to April 4. NSW, Victoria and WA have recorded more measles cases so far this year than in 2024, as southern and South East Asia in particular experience widescale outbreaks. But so far, Queensland has avoided a notable number of cases. Metro North Public Health physician Alexandra Uren said anyone who visited the same locations as the infected person needs to monitor themselves for symptoms, for 18 days. The infected person visited: Gold Coast Yo-chi, 11/3240 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise on Wednesday April 2, between 10:15am and 11am Cotton On, 27 Cahill Ave, Surfers Paradise on Wednesday April 2, between 11am and 12:30pm Ghanda Clothing, 25 Cahill Ave Surfers Paradise on Wednesday April 2 between 11am and 12:30pm Holey Moley Mini Golf – Circle on Cavill, Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise on Wednesday April 2, between 2:15pm and 3:45pm Bunk Hostel, 6 Beach Rd Surfers Paradise, all day Wednesday April 2 and until 10am on Thursday April 3 Goldies, 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise on Wednesday April 2 between 6:45pm and 8pm. Brisbane Bunk Hostel, 21 Gipps St, Fortitude Valley on Thursday April 3 and until 7am on Friday April 4 Brooki Bakehouse, 15 Marshall Street, Fortitude Valley on Thursday April 3 between 12pm and 12:30pm Sushi Hub, 136 Queen Street Brisbane on Thursday April 3 between 1:30pm and 2pm Cotton On, Queen Adelaide Building 90/90 Queen Street, Brisbane on Thursday April 3 between 2pm and 3:10pm Central Station Brisbane on Friday April 4 between 6:45am and 7:30am Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Emergency Department waiting room on Friday April 4 between 7:45pm and 11:00pm. Sunshine Coast Nambour train from Central Station Brisbane to Beerwah Station, on Friday April 4, leaving 7:07am and arriving at 8:27am Springfield train from Beerwah Station to Central Station Brisbane on Friday April 4, leaving 5:03pm and arriving 6:26pm Australia Zoo on Friday April 4, between 8:30am and 5pm. Early measles symptoms include a fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and red, inflamed eyes. Those symptoms then progress to a blotchy red rash. Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus that can lead to pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and brain damage, lung and ear infections and severe diarrhoea, and death. Vaccination is the best preventive measure, and the vaccines are free in Australia. The Covid-19 pandemic seriously hampered measles vaccination and surveillance in countries around the world, leading to a spike in cases. Children under the age of five are at a higher risk of developing complications after contracting measles.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Yahoo
Warning over infectious disease
Queenslanders are being told to remain vigilant after a person unknowingly infected with measles went to multiple tourist spots, stations among other places across the state. The alert was issued on Sunday evening after an adult with measles visited several businesses and locations across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast between April 2 and April 5. The adult had landed from overseas and was infectious with the disease when they visited Australia Zoo, a mini golf venue, multiple train stations, shops and hostels last week, according to the Metro North Public Health Unit alert. Metro North Public Health physician Dr Alexandra Uren said those who visited the locations should monitor themselves for 18 days on from the date of potential exposure. 'If they do develop symptoms, they should seek medical advice,' Dr Uren said. 'Early symptoms of measles include a fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and red, inflamed eyes. Those symptoms then progress to a blotchy red rash, which often starts on the face before becoming widespread.' 'Measles symptoms typically start between seven and 18 days after infection. 'Anyone seeking treatment for an illness they think could be measles should call ahead before visiting their GP or medical practice to allow precautions to be taken that can prevent the illness spreading to others,' Dr Uren said. Measles is very contagious and spread by the coughing and sneezing of infectious people, or direct contact with nose or mouth secretions, according to the Queensland Health website. It can cause serious complications including pneumonia and encephalitis, as well as middle ear infections. 'Measles should not be regarded as a simple mild disease. Deaths occur mainly in children under 5 years of age, primarily from pneumonia, and occasionally from encephalitis,' the Queensland Health website stated. 'Complications are more common and more severe in people with a chronic illness and very young children.' Anyone who visited the following locations have been urged to monitor for symptoms: Yo-chi, 11/3240 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise on Wednesday 2 April, between 10:15am and 11am Cotton On, 27 Cahill Ave, Surfers Paradise on Wednesday 2 April, between 11am and 12:30pm Ghanda Clothing, 25 Cahill Ave Surfers Paradise on Wednesday 2 April between 11am and 12:30pm Holey Moley Mini Golf – Circle on Cavill, Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise on Wednesday 2 April, between 2:15pm and 3:45pm Bunk Hostel, 6 Beach Rd Surfers Paradise, all day Wednesday 2 April and until 10am on Thursday 3 April Goldies, 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise on Wednesday 2 April between 6:45pm and 8pm. Brisbane Bunk Hostel, 21 Gipps St, Fortitude Valley on Thursday 3 April and until 7am on Friday 4th April Brooki Bakehouse, 15 Marshall Street, Fortitude Valley on Thursday 3 April between 12pm and 12:30pm Sushi Hub, 136 Queen Street Brisbane on Thursday 3 April between 1:30pm and 2pm Cotton On, Queen Adelaide Building 90/90 Queen Street, Brisbane on Thursday 3 April between 2pm and 3:10pm Central Station Brisbane on Friday 4 April between 6:45am and 7:30am Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Emergency Department waiting room on Friday 4 April between 7:45pm and 11:00pm. Nambour train from Central Station Brisbane to Beerwah Station, on Friday 4 April, leaving 7:07am and arriving at 8:27am Springfield train from Beerwah Station to Central Station Brisbane on Friday 4 April, leaving 5:03pm and arriving 6:26pm Australia Zoo on Friday 4 April, between 8:30am and 5pm.
