Measles alert for Thai Airways passengers

The Department of Health is warning Western Australians about an increased risk of measles following a confirmed case in a passenger who was infected in Thailand. 

It's understood the infected person may have been infectious to others on a flight to Perth and then in several locations in Perth's northern suburbs during the past week. 

The passenger departed Bangkok just after midnight on Thai Airways flight TG483 arriving in Perth just before 8.00am on Tuesday, January 2. 

The Health Department said people on this flight, particularly those seated around the ill passenger, were potentially exposed to the infection and may be at risk of measles.

People could have been exposed to measles at the following locations and times:

WA Health Medical Epidemiologist Dr Gary Dowse said public health staff had been contacting potentially exposed individuals directly where they were known, but it was not possible to identify and specifically warn people who were in public places.

“Measles is contagious for about four days before and after the development of the rash.... Children and adults who have been unwittingly exposed are at risk of developing measles if they are not immune,” Dr Dowse said.

He said a person is considered immune to measles if they have previously received two doses of a measles vaccine or were born before 1966.

Symptoms include fevers, coughing, running nose, sore red eyes and a rash within one to three weeks of potential exposure.

A red blotchy rash usually begins to develop three days later, usually starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body.

Advice from experts is to stay at home and consult a doctor.

“Anyone who thinks they are infected should call ahead and mention their possible contact with measles so they can be isolated when they arrive at the GP surgery or Emergency Department, to prevent infecting other patients and staff,” Dr Dowse said.

Measles is a serious and highly contagious viral illness spread by tiny droplets released when infected people cough and sneeze.

Naturally occurring measles has been eliminated from WA for about 20 years but occasional cases and small outbreaks occur associated with tourists or WA residents who are infected overseas.

Every imported measles case is treated as a public health emergency because of the risk of local spread.

People most vulnerable to infection include infants too young to be vaccinated, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems.

Measles vaccine is currently given to children at 12 and 18 months of age.

People born during or after 1966 should make sure they have had two documented doses of a measles vaccine at some stage in their life, especially before travelling overseas.

If you're not sure if you've have been vaccinated in the past, see your doctor for a dose before you travel overseas.