WA Health is urging people planning to travel overseas to ensure they are fully protected against measles before they go, following three recent cases in travellers who were on the same flight as a measles case from Perth to Bali.
The most recent case, notified to the Department yesterday, was exposed to the measles infection on a Jetstar flight (JQ108) on Tuesday, 22 July which departed Perth at 6.30pm.
Two previously reported cases on the same flight were travelling in separate parties and were not seated together.
Since arriving back in Perth on Jetstar flight (JQ117) Monday, 28 July at 1.30am, the recent case visited multiple locations while unknowingly infectious.
These include several general practices, Rockingham General Hospital Emergency Department, their workplace and multiple public venues in Perth's southern suburbs.
Health officials are contacting people exposed at the relevant locations, however the public is urged to check the list of exposure locations on the Department of Health website for additional venues where full contact tracing is not possible.
Acting Director of Communicable Disease Control, Dr Clare Huppatz said measles is highly contagious and it was not surprising that it had spread to other passengers who travelled on a plane with an infectious person.
"Anyone who is not immune is at risk of developing the disease if they are exposed," she said.
"Measles can be severe for some people and can require hospitalisation, but it is preventable through vaccination.
"It's important for people to monitor for symptoms if they visited the venues on the exposure locations at the times listed."
Early symptoms include fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes, followed by a red non-itchy rash three or four days later. The rash usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
Dr Huppatz encouraged anyone planning overseas travel to see their GP or a travel doctor to discuss appropriate vaccinations prior to their trip, adding that a free MMR vaccine is available to adults who are not fully vaccinated. Adults can access the MMR vaccine through their GP or pharmacy.
Babies can have their first dose of the MMR vaccine from six months of age if they will be travelling overseas after assessment of risk by their GP. They will still require their MMR vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age.
People who are concerned they may have measles should seek medical care. They should call ahead to discuss arrangements to prevent further spread of the infection.
