Measles alert for Brisbane
- A person with measles was infectious in the community 12 – 16 December.
- Measles is very infectious with symptoms presenting 7 – 10 days after contact.
- People who have been vaccinated or previously contracted the disease are unlikely to become infected.
Metro North Health and Metro South Health have been notified about a measles infection in Brisbane. The person was likely infectious whilst at the following locations on:
Thursday 12 December
- Church of Scientology of Brisbane, Brisbane City – 1300 to 1515
- Streets Beach, South Bank Parklands, Stanley St Plaza, South Brisbane – 1445 to 1715
- Streets Beach (male change rooms) South Bank Parklands, Stanley St Plaza, South Brisbane – 1445 to 1715
- Southbank Beach News and Souvenirs, Stanley St Plaza, South Brisbane – 1445 to 1715
- Woolworths, Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown, Cnr Calam Rd and Compton Rd, Sunnybank Hill – 1700 to 1830
- The Fruit Temple, Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown, Cnr Calam Rd and Compton Rd, Sunnybank Hill – 1700 to 1830
- K Fresh mart, Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown, Cnr Calam Rd and Compton Rd, Sunnybank Hill – 1700 to 1830
- Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown, Cnr Calam Rd and Compton Rd, Sunnybank Hill – 1700 to 1830
Friday 13 December
- Kmart, Grand Plaza, Browns Plains Rd, Browns Plains – 1115 to 1245
- BIG W, Grand Plaza, Browns Plains Rd, Browns Plains – 1115 to 1245
- Overflow, Grand Plaza, Browns Plains Rd, Browns Plains – 1115 to 1245
- Grand Plaza, Browns Plains Rd, Browns Plains – 1115 to 1245
- 7-Eleven – 858 George St, Brisbane City – 1245 to 1330
- Church of Scientology of Brisbane, Brisbane City – 1300 to 1915
- Shell Coles Express, 2654 Beaudesert Rd, Calamvale – 1900 to 2200
Saturday 14 December
- Woolworths, Cornubia Shopping Centre, Cnr Bryants Road & Beenleigh-Redland Bay Rd, Cornubia – 1445 to 1545
- Public toilets near Woolworths, Cornubia Shopping Centre, Cnr Bryants Road & Beenleigh-Redland Bay Rd, Cornubia – 1445 to 1545
- Cornubia Shopping Centre, Cnr Bryants Road & Beenleigh-Redland Bay Rd, Cornubia – 1445 to 1545
Monday 16 December
- Woolworths, Jimboomba Central, Cnr Cusack Lane and Johanna St, Jimboomba – 0945 to 1045
- Jimboomba Central, Cnr Cusack Lane and Johanna St, Jimboomba – 0945 to 1045
Anyone who visited these venues during the specified periods may have been exposed to the disease and needs to look out for symptoms. The symptoms of measles include high temperatures, cough and a runny nose followed by a red spotty rash and sore, watery eyes a few days later.
Measles is a very infectious disease that is spread by coughing and sneezing. Symptoms usually start 7-10 days after the contact with the infected person but can sometimes take as long as three weeks.
People who have been vaccinated against or previously contracted measles are very unlikely to catch the disease even if they have been exposed.
Those who are at highest risk of contracting measles include people who:
- Were born during or after 1966
- Have no documented evidence of having received 2 doses of a measles containing vaccine
- Have not been infected with measles before
- Have a poor immune system.
If you are unsure of your vaccine status, you can still be vaccinated against measles unless you are pregnant or have problems with a poor immune system. This vaccine is free. Vaccine providers include general practices, many pharmacies and community immunisation clinics provided by Brisbane City Council and Logan City Council.
If you think that you may have measles it is very important that you avoid public spaces and arrange testing with your doctor. Please contact the doctor’s surgery before attending so they can take appropriate precautions. When you call, state that you may have been in contact with a measles case.
Most people recover well after a case of the measles, however up to 30% will need to be admitted to hospital.
For any further information please call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or go to the Queensland Health website https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/infections-and-parasites/viral-infections/measles.