Measles alert issued for Western Sydney
The infected person attended locations in Parramatta and Westmead
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Breaking News
NSW Health has issued an alert asking residents to keep an eye out for signs and symptoms of measles, after an infant diagnosed with the infection spent time in the Parramatta and Westmead areas this week on Monday, March 27.
Three locations in the area are of particular concern, with Health advising that exposure may have occurred at:
- Westmead Children's Hospital Emergency Dept Waiting Room (12pm-9.30pm)
- Argyle St Medical Centre in Parramatta (9.15am-10am)
- Westfield Parramatta (9am-10am)
While these areas are no longer of concern, anyone who may be susceptible to measles is advised to keep an eye out for symptoms, which can take up to 18 days to become visible. With two of these places possibly containing individuals whose health status makes them high-risk, health is calling for extra vigilance from anyone who may have been at those locations during the time in question.
Anyone born in or after 1966 who has not received two doses of measles vaccine should get a measles vaccine by Thursday 30 March to prevent the infection. Additionally, people who were present at these locations at these times need to be alert for the symptoms of measles until 14 April 2023.
“Measles is a highly contagious infection, and the most vulnerable are infants under 12 months, who are too young to be vaccinated against it, other members of the community who are not fully vaccinated and people with a weakened immune system,” said Director of Communicable Diseases Dr Christine Selvey said.
“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it is really important to stay vigilant if you’ve been in the above locations and if you develop symptoms, please call ahead to your GP to ensure you do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.
”This incident highlights the importance of ensuring that all people able to be vaccinated have received two doses of measles vaccine, particularly prior to overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.”
