The number of measles cases in Far North Queensland has doubled, with warnings of more exposure sites including Cairns Hospital’s maternity ward.
Three new cases have been confirmed across the region taking the total number of measles infections to six.
Cairns Hospital confirmed a potentially infectious visitor spent more than eight hours in the maternity ward.
The hospital has issued an alert making masks compulsory for visitors and staff in the special care nursery, maternity unit, cancer care ward, cancer care centre and intensive care unit.
“While masks are not required in other areas, we strongly encourage everyone attending Cairns Hospital or any of our health facilities to wear one,” a spokesperson said.
The initial case of measles was linked to backpacker hostels in Cairns, with the first diagnosis confirmed in a patient who arrived from Bali.
The other five infections are all thought to have been acquired locally.
The Cairns Hospital maternity ward has been listed as a new exposure site with the latest measles outbreak. (ABC News: Brendan Mounter)
Cairns Hospital CEO Leena Singh said it was inevitable that cases would reach the hospital.
She said because people can be infectious before they develop any symptoms a person may come to work unaware they are contagious.
Ms Singh said now that the infection was in the community there would be a growing number of exposure sites.
“The ones within the hospital we are very vigilant about and we have great record keeping about where our staff have gone and where that exposure sits,” she said.
The mask mandate within the hospital was not because of any previous exposure, Ms Singh said, but were to protect patients.
“It will minimise the risk, so anyone visiting those areas will be required to enter in with a mask which we will provide,” she said.
Ms Singh said while measles vaccinations were generally available for children from their first birthday, they could be provided to babies at six months of age from GPs.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service CEO Leena Singh says a snap mask mandate is necessary in some wards. (ABC News: Conor Byrne)
Exposure sites revealed
Multiple new exposure sites have now been added to the ongoing public health alert.
They include sites in Mareeba and Smithfield, as well as restaurants, shops, hostels and medical centres in Cairns.
University of Queensland epidemiologist associate professor Linda Selvey said anyone can develop measles symptoms. (ABC News)
University of Queensland epidemiologist associate professor Linda Selvey said measles vaccination rates in Australia had dropped in recent years.
“It can take off very, very quickly if not many people in the community are immune,” she said.
“It’s estimated that one measles case can infect 18 to 20 other people if they’re not immune.”
Australian measles vaccine advice reviewed amid global outbreak
Dr Selvey said a room can remain infectious for several hours after an infectious person had left.
She said infants were more likely to develop severe disease because of their under-developed immune system, although full-term babies do have some protection from their mothers.
But Dr Selvey said anyone can develop severe symptoms.
“In the United States there’s been three deaths this year in their measles outbreaks,” she said.
Ms Singh said people should check their vaccination status and if they are feeling unwell, look for symptoms of measles which included fever, watery eyes and rash and call 13 HEALTH.
Those without a vaccination, or who are immuno-compromised, are most at risk of contracting the illness and serious complications.