Health experts are urging people in Western Australia’s South West and Great Southern to be on alert for measles as the number of community transmission cases climbs to its highest level in almost three decades.<\/p>\n
Measles is a highly contagious virus that causes a skin rash and fever, and can lead to serious and life-threatening complications.<\/p>\n
There have been 11 cases reported in the South West and one in the Great Southern, with 18 exposure sites identified across both regions since October 22.<\/p>\n
Twelve new exposure sites south of Perth have been identified by the Department of Health since October 27, with the most recent listed on November 4.<\/p>\n
The exposure sites include emergency departments at the Margaret River Hospital and Albany Health Campus.<\/p>\n
Other sites where members of the public may have been exposed included a pub in Denmark, several shopping centres in Bunbury and Australind, post offices in Cowaramup and Donnybrook, and a public bathroom in Kojonup.<\/p>\n
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Albany Hospital is among 12 new exposure sites. (ABC News: Kendall O’Connor)<\/p>\n
Worst outbreak in 27 years<\/p>\n
The southern cluster takes the total number of cases in the state to 54, the most nationally this year, and the state’s worst measles outbreak since 1997.<\/p>\n
The health department has confirmed all cases are from, or have been linked to, people returning from overseas travel in south and south-east Asian countries such as Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Cases in the south of the WA follow a related outbreak in the Pilbara in early October, where the state’s cases sat at 47.<\/p>\n
Health experts say symptoms can take about 10 days to develop after contracting the virus, and include a red rash, tiredness, fever, cough and sore, red eyes.<\/p>\n
The department said extensive contact tracing had been undertaken since initial cases were identified.<\/p>\n