WA Health confirm two measles cases in Perth after travellers returned from Bali
Residents in WA travelling to South East Asia have been urged to get vaccinated after the state recorded a further two measles cases, which have been linked with recent travel to Bali.
On Saturday, WA Health confirmed a further two cases had been detected in Perth, and had visited multiple venues while infected, including a shopping centre in Butler in the city’s north.
It is believed the cases were linked with travel from Bali, bringing the state’s total to 35 cases this year.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.
Members of the public who visited the following locations should also monitor for symptoms:
– Dan Murphy’s Butler on Saturday September 6, between 10am and 12pm
– Coles Brighton (Brighton Village Shopping Centre), on Saturday September 6 between 10am and 12pm
WA Health acting director communicable diseases control directorate Clare Huppatz said many countries, particularly in South East Asia, were experiencing large measles outbreaks.
“There is an ongoing risk of measles being brought into WA from overseas, especially from popular holiday destinations such as South-East Asia,” she said.
“We are fortunate to have the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine which is extremely effective and free to all Western Australians.”
The public has been urged to monitor for symptoms of measles, which can include fever, lethargy, a runny nose, moist cough and sore red eyes.
A red rash typically follows after several days.
“The rash usually starts on the face and head before spreading to the rest of the body,” WA Health said in a statement.
It comes days after Queensland Health confirmed a measles outbreak at a hostel in Cairns, which had been linked to travel to Bali.
The health officials were first notified of a confirmed case of measles after an infected person contracted the disease before visiting a backpackers’ hostel in Cairns in late August.
Further infections have been confirmed, with another person contracting the disease between August 28 and September 2 after visiting the Mad Monkey Waterfront hostel, located on The Esplanade.
Originally published as Two measles cases confirmed in Perth after returning from Bali
