Queenslanders are being urged to ensure their vaccinations are up to date as the state experiences an outbreak of measles.
“Vaccination is the only way to protect yourself and your children against measles,” says Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young
“Measles is the most highly contagious virus known to man,” she said.
“If you are exposed and not protected, you will get infected.”
Dr Young said most areas of Queensland had more than 90% of children fully vaccinated. The Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast are slightly below 90% with the Torres Strait and Cape York areas having the highest percentage of vaccinated children.
“While 90% vaccinated sounds good, it is important to remember that leaves up to 10 per cent of children who aren’t properly protected against measles,” she said.
“We see a lot of cases in adults who may not have received the vaccine as a child and at the same time there were not as many measles cases in the community because vaccine was being used, and so these people weren’t exposed to measles and now don’t have an immunity.
“We usually see outbreaks start with importation from a traveller or tourist from overseas areas where measles still circulates.
“Mums and dads, if you know your twenty or thirty-something child is going on a trip, get them to go to their GP to get a measles vaccine. They may not go themselves so we want you to tell them to do it.
“We also provide free Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccinations for anyone born in or after 1966. They just need to see their GP to get two documented doses.”
Dr Young said measles was a very serious disease, which could have potentially life threatening consequences. Around one third of adults who contract it require hospitalisation.
Early symptoms of measles include runny nose, cough, red eyes, aches and pains and then fever. If you have these symptoms, even if you don't have a rash, you may have measles. Stay home and talk to your GP about getting tested and diagnosed.
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