THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA
www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 4 Number 10 | July 2014
21
HEALTH
MEASLES OUTBREAKS TRIGGER VACCINATION REMINDER
MEASLES outbreaks in the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia have prompted an urgent reminder for people travelling
to South East Asia to check they and their children are fully immunised for measles before their departure.
DR Vicky Sheppeard, Director
of Communicable Diseases at
NSW Health, said measles is
highly contagious among people who are not fully immunised.
“Measles is spread through
coughing and sneezing, and is
one of the most contagious infections known,” Dr Sheppeard
said.
“Complications can range
from diarrhoea and ear infections to swelling of the brain
and pneumonia.
“In recent weeks there have
been 5 cases of measles reported in NSW. Two were associated with travel to Vietnam, one
to Indonesia and one to the
Philippines. The most recently
identified case was likely infected at Sydney Airport. In Australia, 41% of cases in 2014 have
been imported from overseas,
mostly from the Philippines.
“NSW Health urges everyone planning on travelling to
South East Asia to ensure they
are up to date with their vaccinations before they travel. Anyone born during or after 1966
should have two doses of measles vaccine (at least 4 weeks
apart). Even one dose gives
around 90% protection.
“Children should receive
measles vaccine at 12 months
and a second dose at 18 months
of age. Babies who are travelling before their vaccines are
due can be given the first dose
as early as 9 months of age.
“Children over 18 months
who have not had their second
dose of measles vaccine can be
vaccinated now.
“People returning from the
South East Asia should be on
the look out for symptoms of
measles, which starts with a fever, cough, sore red eyes and
a runny nose for several day