Measles Outbreak Spreads in Adelaide as Health Officials Issue Warning

The outbreak began after a teenager who had recently returned from overseas tested positive for measles on September 14. Three additional students from the same school subsequently tested positive, raising concerns about further community transmission.

South Australia’s Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, said health authorities were concerned about the level of spread and warned that measles is one of the most infectious communicable diseases.

SA Health has established a temporary vaccination clinic for the Brighton school community as authorities work to contain the outbreak and identify anyone who may have been exposed.

Health authorities have also identified a number of potential exposure locations across Adelaide, including Costco in Kilburn, restaurants and cafes in Hyde Park, Kmart at Westfield Marion, Morphett Vale Stadium and Brighton Secondary School. Earlier exposure locations included Adelaide Airport, Singapore Airlines flights and an Adelaide Metro bus.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The Australian Centre for Disease Control says up to nine in 10 people who are not immune can become infected after exposure. The virus can also remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

Symptoms usually appear 7 to 18 days after infection and can include fever, cough, a runny nose, sore or red eyes and a widespread rash. Serious complications can include pneumonia and inflammation of the brain.

The Australian Centre for Disease Control says vaccination remains the best protection against measles, with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine providing about 99 per cent protection against infection.

South Australia has recorded eight measles cases so far this year, according to the ABC, making it the state’s highest annual total since 2016.

Authorities are urging people who may have visited exposure locations to check their vaccination history and monitor for symptoms. Anyone who suspects they may have measles should contact a doctor or health service before attending in person, to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

The Australian Centre for Disease Control says measles has been eliminated as an endemic disease in Australia, but cases continue to occur, mainly following overseas travel or contact with people who acquired the infection overseas.