Measles continues to spread in the Pilbara after the Department of Health confirmed the seventh case related to the region\u2019s community outbreak on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Hedland Health Campus remains an exposure site after health authorities added a further two dates to the public health alert.<\/p>\n
Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus. It can last in a room up to 30 minutes after an infected person has left.<\/p>\n
Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, sore eyes, cough and runny nose, typically followed by a red non-itchy rash three to four days later. The rash usually starts on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.<\/p>\n
Anyone who has attended the latest locations on the dates and times below should monitor for symptoms from seven to 18 days after potential exposure. Symptoms usually start to show around the 10-day mark.<\/p>\n
People with measles are usually able to pass on the virus to others from one day before their symptoms start and for four days after their red rash appears.<\/p>\n
The latest outbreak has prompted health authorities to remind health professionals to be alert for measles, particularly among returned overseas travellers.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnsure all staff have a high index of suspicion for measles in patients presenting with a febrile rash,\u201d the public health alert said.<\/p>\n
Health authorities are encouraging people to check their jab status as WA\u2019s caseload reaches 46 for the year so far.<\/p>\n
Anyone born after 1965 who has not received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine is at risk of contracting the virus.<\/p>\n
For babies, the first dose of a measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is usually given at 12 months under the National Immunisation Program schedule.<\/p>\n
But babies as young as six months can receive an MMR vaccine before travelling overseas to countries where measles activity is high.<\/p>\n
If a baby receives an early dose prior to travel, it is recommended they still receive their routine 12-month and 18-month doses in line with the NIP.<\/p>\n
Anyone who develops symptoms should put on a mask, isolate and seek medical care to be tested for measles.<\/p>\n