Measles outbreak spreads in FNQ
Health Warning
A measles outbreak first detected in Cairns is spreading further afield in Far North Queensland, with reports of a case in Mareeba and other locations released by Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.
Mask wearing is mandatory in select areas of Cairns Hospital, following confirmation of three new measles cases. It follows three identified cases in the community, and the declaration of a measles outbreak in Cairns last Thursday, September 11, bringing the total number of cases to six.
CHHHS chief executive Leena Singh said the health service has a duty of care to mitigate the risk of patients and staff being exposed to the highly contagious viral infection.
“To minimise risk to some of our most vulnerable patients in our hospital, compulsory mask wearing for staff and visitors in our Intensive Care Unit, Special Care Nursery, Maternity Unit, Cancer Care Ward, and the Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre is going to be required, for a short period of time,” Ms Singh said.
“We are also asking anyone who is unwell and displaying symptoms of measles to please seek medical attention and crucially, not go to work.
“Please keep up to date with the latest exposure sites, dates and times on the Queensland Health website, and keep monitoring yourself and family for any measles symptoms.” A list of exposure sites has been updated and now includes new locations in Cairns Hospital, Cairns CBD, Smithfield, Mareeba and Dimbulah.
Cairns backpacker accommodation Mad Monkey Waterfront backpackers emerged as a possible epicentre of the outbreak of the highly infectious virus.
The health service last week issued a measles alert for people who were in or around the following locations at the following times, saying members of the public should be alert for signs and symptoms of measles over the next three weeks.
The locations pose no ongoing risk. Measles is a highly infectious and serious viral infection. The potential exposure areas include the Cairns Esplanade area from August 28 to September 2 and the specific locations and times are:
Mad Monkey Waterfront backpackers, 93A The Esplanade, Cairns Thursday August 28 – Tuesday, September 2 (7 days);
Woolworths Lake Street Thursday, August 28, 2pm;
Ollies Italian restaurant, 1 Marlin Parade, Cairns Friday August 29, 6pm - 7pm;
GP Superclinic, Corner Florence and Grafton streets, Cairns Saturday, August 30, 5pm – 5.10pm;
Cairns Hospital Emergency Department waiting room Sunday, August 31, 6pm – 10pm and Tuesday, September 2, 2:30am-9am.
More locations have now been added to that list as the outbreak continues to spread.
The latest advice issued is can be viewed at: www.health.qld.gov.au/newsroom/alerts/measles-alert-cairns
Measles usually starts as a flu-like illness with symptoms that include: fever, tiredness, blotchy rash that spreads from head/face to rest of body, severe cough, red/sore eyes, runny nose, white spots in the mouth.
Although the most well-known symptom of measles is a blotchy red rash, this is not usually the first symptom.
Cairns Public Health Director Dr Jacqui Murdoch said measles is highly infectious.
“The symptoms usually start around 10 days after exposure to measles but can occur between 7 and 18 days after contact.
“If people develop symptoms, they should call ahead to their GP or emergency department. They should not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.”
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