A public health alert has been issued in an Australian state after two confirmed cases of measles were reported. NSW Health released a statement on Friday, indicating that both cases were from the same family and had contracted the disease while overseas. The affected individuals arrived in Sydney on July 14 and subsequently visited various locations in the city while they were infectious, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Authorities are urging people who were present at the same locations as the infected cases to be vigilant for signs and symptoms of measles until August 7 and to check their vaccination status. Measles is highly contagious, and those at higher risk of susceptibility include infants under 12 months of age who are too young to receive vaccinations, individuals who are not fully vaccinated against the disease, and those with weakened immune systems.
Typical symptoms of measles include fever, sore eyes, and a cough, followed by a red, blotchy rash that typically spreads from the head and neck to other parts of the body.
NSW Health also highlighted that cases of measles have been reported in other Australian states in recent weeks. This indicates the importance of remaining vigilant and ensuring that proper vaccination measures are in place to prevent further spread of the disease.
Earlier this week, Victoria and Queensland issued measles warnings after an infectious traveler returned to Melbourne Airport from overseas and later visited Brisbane, potentially exposing others to the virus. Authorities across the country are closely monitoring the situation and advising the public to take necessary precautions to safeguard their health