Health alert issued after measles case detected in Sydney: These are the symptoms you need to watch out for

A measles alert has been issued after NSW Health was notified of a woman with the infectious disease in western Sydney.

There is no ongoing risk to the public, but Western Sydney Local Health District acting public health unit director Conrad Moreira said people who potentially had contact with the woman should monitor for symptoms.

“Symptoms include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and cough, followed three to four days later by a blotchy red rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body,” Dr. Moreira said in a statement.

Potential contacts included people who visited Baby Bunting at Blacktown Megacentre and Kmart Blacktown on March 24 between 3pm and 5pm, Winston Hills Mall on March 28 between noon and 2.30pm and Westmead Hospital Emergency Department on March 29 between 2:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

The woman had traveled to Baby Bunting in Blacktown MegaCentre (pictured) and other stores between last Sunday and Friday.

Measles is spread through the air through the coughs or sneezes of infected people, and symptoms can take up to 18 days to appear after exposure.

“Anyone who develops symptoms should see their primary care doctor and call ahead to make sure they are not put in the waiting room with other patients,” said Dr.

The disease can cause respiratory or neurological complications in young children or older patients, and in pregnant women it can cause low birth weight or premature birth.

“Measles is very contagious and anyone born during or after 1966 should ensure they have received two doses of the measles vaccine to be adequately protected,” Dr Moreira said.

Vaccination is safe and very effective, he stated.

“Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine provide lifelong protection against measles.”

The measles vaccine is available free of charge in New South Wales to anyone born during or after 1966 who does not have two documented doses of measles vaccine.