People who visited Five Star Coffee and Nuts on Yerrick Road, Lakemba, on Friday, January 12, between 3-5pm, are being urged to watch for symptoms, after the nine-month-old infant recently returned from Asia where there has been an outbreak of measles in several countries, including Pakistan and India.
NSW Health has identified and contacted people who have been in close contact with the infant to arrange preventive treatment if required.
Sydney Local Health District’s Clinical Director of Public Health, Dr Leena Gupta said that while this location posed no ongoing risk, if you, or someone you know, visited this shop during this time it was important to be on the lookout for symptoms.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body,” Dr Gupta said.
Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious, coughs or sneezes.
“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people to stay vigilant if they’ve been exposed, and if they develop symptoms, to please call ahead to your GP or emergency department to ensure you do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients,” Dr Gupta said.
“This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is very infectious.”
If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, call your GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
Sick baby sparks measles warning
VISITORS to a Lakemba supermarket are being urged to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after it was visited by an infectious infant.