After a confirmed case of measles in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) recently the organisation is asking residents of Young to be aware of the symptoms.
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The warning was issued by MLHD after a person contracted the disease overseas and visited Deniliquin central business district while still infectious with the condition.
MLHD director of public health Tracey Oakman said symptoms of measles include fever, sore eyes and a cough, followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash spreading from the head and neck to the rest of the body.
“Measles is highly infectious among people who are not fully immunised and is easily spread through coughing and sneezing by someone who has disease,” Mrs Oakman said.
“The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and highly effective protection against measles, and is available for free for those aged one to 51 at your GP. If you are unsure whether you have had two doses, it is quite safe to have another dose,” Mrs Oakman said.
Babies and unvaccinated individuals are most susceptible when it come to contracting the disease and even those who are vaccinated are able to be carriers of the illness.
“The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms is typically about 10 days but can be as long as 18 days.”
Mrs Oakman warns residents in the local area and MLHD to remain alert for symptoms until Monday April 2, 2018.
“Anyone with measles should not to go school, work or go out in public. If you think you might be infected you should see a doctor, but call ahead to make sure you don’t infect others at the doctor’s surgery,” she said.
Children should receive two doses of vaccine, one at 12-months and the second at 18-months. Anyone born after 1965 should have two doses of vaccine at least four-weeks apart. Measles was common before 1966, so most people born before then are immune.
