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One person infected with measles caught a train to Brisbane’s airport, while another went to a hospital emergency department, in cases that health authorities said were separate to another recent cluster in Brisbane’s south.
Queensland Health’s Metro North public health unit issued an alert about midday on Monday, warning locals that two people had been unknowingly infectious while in the community last week.
One travelled from an inner-Brisbane hotel via train to the domestic airport on Monday, while the other went to the Caboolture Hospital emergency department on Thursday and Friday.
A patient with measles visited Caboolture Hospital’s emergency department two days last week.Credit: Steve Holland
Metro North public health physician Dr Candice Colbran said the exposure sites did not pose an ongoing risk, but anyone who may have crossed paths with the patients should monitor for symptoms, which would typically start between seven and 18 days after infection.
Queensland Health said the two confirmed cases were not believed to be linked to a cluster that produced four confirmed cases across Brisbane from late October, following a concert from American musician Jelly Roll.
Locations and times of potential exposure to measles
Monday, November 17
- One Residences, 8 Adelaide Street, Brisbane from 12.00am to 3.15pm
- Roma Street Train Station and the Airport line, from 2.50pm to 3.55pm
- Brisbane Airport Domestic Terminal, from 3.25pm to 5.20pm
- Virgin Australia Flight VA1006 Brisbane to Hobart, departing 4.50pm
Thursday, November 20
- Caboolture Hospital Emergency Department, from 6.45pm to 11.59pm
Friday, November 21
- Caboolture Hospital Emergency Department, from 12.00am to 2.30am
Colbran said anyone who did develop symptoms – which can be initially similar to cold and flu symptoms – should seek medical advice.
“Early symptoms of measles include fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and red, inflamed eyes,” Colbran said.
“Those symptoms then progress to a blotchy red rash, which often starts on the face before becoming widespread.”
But she warned that people who thought they might have measles should call ahead before visiting the doctor or hospital, and take any measures possible to minimise spreading the disease further.
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Measles is spread by droplets inhaled after an infectious person sneezes or coughs into the air.
Some Brisbane hospitals and GPs offer testing for the illness, and treatments generally includes rest, keeping hydrated, and over-the-counter pain relief.
Most people recover within four days after a rash appears and complications are rare, but can lead to severe illness.
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