09 May 2017
Areas of NSW, in particular Western Sydney, have recently experienced an outbreak of measles. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease which can have serious complications.
An infectious disease alert was issued by NSW Health, notifying the public of an outbreak and recent locations visited by those affected by the virus. NSW Health is urging people to take advantage of the free measles vaccine, available at GPs, and to look out for measles symptoms.
Symptoms to watch for include:
- Fever
- Sore eyes
- Cough
- Following fever, sore eyes and cough – a red blotchy rash typically spreading from the neck to the rest of the body that follows three to four days later.
While a person is infectious with measles it is important that he or she remains at home to reduce the possibility of spreading it to other people.
For further information, please read NSW Health's measles fact sheet or contact your local GP.
NSW Health Measles Facts (pdf 105 KB)