RSOE EDIS: Australia - Epidemic Hazard - 2010.02.10

RSOE Emergency and Disaster Information Service Budapest, Hungary RSOE EDIS ALERTMAIL

2010-02-10 09:14:28 - Epidemic Hazard - Australia EDIS CODE: EH-20100210-24884-AUS Date & Time: 2010-02-10 09:14:28 [UTC] Area: Australia, State of Queensland, , Airlie Beach '!!! WARNING !!! Not confirmed information! Description: Hundreds of tourists may have been exposed to highly infectious Measles virus with authorities on alert for a possible outbreak in Airlie Beach. A foreign male tourist fell sick with the highly-contagious disease on a five-day holiday in the Whitsundays. He did not contract the virus in Australia, but may have spread it into the community. The tourist is understood to have gone on a boat cruise, swum in the public lagoon and dined at various restaurants in the popular north Queensland tourist village. “We’re concerned about the possibility of the measles virus spreading into the local community and elsewhere in Queensland due to the large number of travellers and visitors to the area,’’ said Tropical Regional Services Medical Officer Dr Steven Donohue. Measles is extremely contagious and is spread in tiny droplets through coughing and spluttering. The virus can survive for several hours in the environment. Dr Donohue said symptoms usually start around 10 days after contact with an infected person. The sick tourist was in the Whitsundays from 30 January to 4 February. “Although the patient didn’t get measles in Australia, he would have been highly infectious while in the Airlie Beach region,” Dr Donohue said. “Now is the time for people to be aware of any signs of infection. “Anyone travelling or living in the Whitsundays who develops a fever, cough, runny nose and eyes or a blotchy red rash in the next few weeks should seek advice from their GP. "However, it’s important to call the practice to say they could have measles, and ask to be seen away from the waiting room to avoid spreading the disease to others.” The name of Hazard: Measles Species: Human Status: Suspected Posted:2010-02-10 09:14:28 [UTC] Please DO NOT reply to this message: replies may be treated as errors and result in your subscription being deleted. If you have trouble or other queries, send email to havaria@rsoe.hu RSOE EDIS is operated by the National Association of Radio-Distress Signalling and Infocommunications (RSOE), Budapest, Hungary. Because of the complexity of this system and its dependence on other systems, we cannot be responsible for delays or failures in forwarding or transmission. You're receiving this AlertMail because you subscribed for the service. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. Contact: havaria@rsoe.hu