A new confirmed measles case in the Byron Shire has health officials warning anyone who hit the Byron Beachside Markets last month to watch for symptoms.
Northern NSW Local Health District is advising people to be alert after being told of the new case. The person had been in contact with a previous case in the area, reported by the district on 23 September.
While unknowingly infectious, the new case visited the Byron Beachside Markets on the Main Beach foreshore, near Bay Street and Dening Park, Byron Bay. They were there on Saturday, 26 September from 9:30am to 12:30pm.
People who were there should watch for symptoms until Wednesday, 14 October. The location does not pose any ongoing risk.
There have been 57 cases confirmed across NSW since 1 January.
Regional Director for North Coast Population and Public Health Dr Valerie Delpech said anyone who develops symptoms should act quickly.
“If symptoms develop and you’ve been at one of the locations at the time listed on the website, see your doctor or health service, including an emergency department,” Dr Delpech said.
“Call ahead to let them know that you may have come into contact with measles, so you don’t spend time in waiting rooms with other patients.”
The symptoms can take a while to show.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.”
“Anyone with early symptoms who gets a rash a few days later should also think about measles, even if they haven’t attended one of the identified locations and seek testing.”
“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms for this period.”
Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease that spreads through the air when an infectious person coughs or sneezes.
Dr Delpech said the best defence was to be up to date with vaccinations.
“Importantly, we want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. Measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough.”
“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.”
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses.
Children under 12 months can have an extra, early dose from six months of age if they are travelling overseas. Parents should talk to their GP.
People who are unsure whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as extra doses are safe. The MMR vaccine is available from GPs for all ages, and from pharmacies for people over 5 years of age.
Anyone with measles symptoms, or questions about measles, should call their GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
A full list of exposure locations and times is at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/measles/Pages/public-exposure-locations.aspx
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