One of the new cases was confirmed to have been acquired from one of the exposure sites in the city, with NSW Health urging people to be on the lookout for symptoms of the highly infectious disease.“The other case had recently returned from South East Asia where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles in several countries,” the statement from NSW Health said.Measles morbillivirus structure – 3d rendered image. Abstract background. (Getty)
A total of 21 measles cases have now been confirmed in NSW since January 1.
The new exposure warnings date from Wednesday, February 18, to Saturday, February 21, meaning some people who visited the exposure sites may have to monitor for symptoms until March 11.
Eight new exposure sites have been confirmed, including several locations in the CBD and Inner West.
These include Rivaereno Gelato in Barangaroo between 7.40pm to 8.30pm on Thursday, February 19, and The Stinking Bishops Restaurant & Deli in Newtown between 7pm to 9pm on Friday, February 20.
Passengers on a Jetstar flight from Sydney to Melbourne were told to monitor for symptoms. (Jetstar)
New exposure sites have also been declared in Lismore in the state’s north, in addition to several current exposure sites in Western Sydney.
The new cases come after an alert was issued for two flights that landed and departed from Sydney Airport this weekend, one inbound from Indonesia, and one Jetstar flight to Melbourne.Symtoms of measles can include a blotchy, red rash on the skin, which appears after three to four days. (9News)
Symptoms of measles, which include fever, runny nose, cough, and a red, blotchy rash after three to four days, can take up to 18 days to appear.
NSW Health Director of Communicable Diseases Dr Christine Selvey urged residents to stay up to date with their vaccinations.The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is free for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t had the recommended two doses.
“This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment,” she added.
A full list of the current exposure sites can be found on the NSW Health website.
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