MEDIA RELEASE
Warning issued about measles

3 October 2003

The Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) today issued a warning to people who travelled on board an aircraft on Monday following the discovery of a case of measles in an adult passenger.

Dr Robert Hall, chair of the CDNA, said health authorities have been contacting people who were on board the aircraft to provide health advice but not all passengers have been reached.

The person with measles flew on Virgin Blue flight DJ404 from Sydney to Adelaide at 7am on Monday 29 September.

“Persons travelling on that flight may have been exposed to the measles virus. Measles is a serious disease, especially in adults," Dr Hall said.

“Anyone who was on board the flight, is under and 37 years of age and who has not had two doses of MMR or measles vaccine may be at risk. Older persons are almost certain to be immune and are not considered to be at risk.”

The SA Department of Health is contacting passengers on the flight to assess the risk and the need for preventive measures.

“Persons in the risk group above, who have not been contacted by health authorities should contact their state or territory health authority or local doctor for advice on preventive treatment,” Dr Hall said.

Phone numbers for State or Territory health authorities can be found in the White Pages, are listed at the end of this statement and are available on the internet at: http://www.health.gov.au/pubhlth/strateg/bio/contacts.htm

Anyone who has been on this aircraft who is suffering symptoms of measles should phone their GP for advice.

“It is important to phone the doctor or hospital in advance so arrangements can be made to prevent spreading measles to other patients,” Dr Hall said.

Early symptoms of measles include a cough, runny nose, high fever, conjunctivitis or a rash. Measles is a highly infectious virus. Measles is often a severe disease, particularly in adults and very young children.

The incubation period for measles is around 10 days so anyone exposed may expect symptoms to appear over the next five days.

There have been eight confirmed cases of measles in South Australia in the past three weeks.

“Because of increased vaccination in recent years, measles is now a rare disease in Australia,” Dr Hall said. “However, it is very contagious and anyone who has come into contact with the disease should look out for symptoms and seek treatment if required.” 

Media contact: Neil Branch, CDNA media liaison, 0412 258 449

State and Territory Health Department Communicable Disease contacts

• Australian Capital Territory (02) 6205 2155
• New South Wales Public Health Units are listed under HEALTH in the White Pages
• Northern Territory (08) 8922 8044 or a/h Royal Darwin Hospital: (08) 8922 8888
• Queensland (07) 3234 1155
• South Australia (08) 8226 7177
• Tasmania 1800 671 738
• Victoria 1300 651 160
• Western Australia (08) 9388 4999 (bh) or (08) 9480 4960 (ah)