WA Health issues measles warning after confirmed case in returned traveller
Health authorities have issued a public health alert after a measles case was confirmed in a returned traveller from Afghanistan.
The infected person visited several stores at a northern suburbs shopping centre on Friday after being infectious on an international flight arriving in Perth last Thursday.
WA Health has listed several exposure sites online, including flight EK420 from Dubai to Perth, which arrived at Terminal 1 at Perth Airport last Thursday at 5.15pm. The person was then in the terminal for about an hour.
Anyone at the affected locations should stay alert for symptoms, which can take between seven and 18 days to manifest.
Communicable Disease Control director Paul Armstrong said measles is highly infectious and can result in serious complications.
'Measles can spread quickly and even one case of measles can be cause for concern,' Dr Armstrong said.
'This is why it is so important for people to pay close attention to the exposure locations, and if symptoms are identified, call ahead to your GP clinic before attending.'
The contagious virus can spread via airborne droplets to people close by, such as in waiting rooms, and droplets in the air may still infect people entering a room up to 30 minutes after an infected person has left.
Early symptoms of measles include fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes. It's usually followed by a florid red non-itchy rash three or four days later, starting on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.
The returned traveller is currently being treated at a metropolitan hospital. It brings WA's measles caseload to 20 for the year.
Last week, WA Health advised a person travelling to Brisbane via Perth had been infected with measles while in transit. The case, diagnosed in Queensland, does not count towards WA's caseload for the year.
Measles outbreaks are occurring overseas in several countries, including Afghanistan, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. There are currently more than 50,000 suspected cases of measles in Afghanistan.
Dr Armstrong urged community members to check their vaccination status and consider getting their immunisations if not already inoculated against measles.
'Vaccination is the best way to protect against measles, and this is a reminder for the public to check they are immune and get vaccinated,' he said.
Anyone concerned they or a loved one may have measles should seek medical care or contact healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
Affected people should call ahead to a GP or emergency department to discuss their situation to prevent spreading the infection.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
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Proponents of the bill argue those with a terminal diagnosis must be given a choice at the end of their lives. However, opponents say the disabled and older people could be at risk of being coerced, directly or indirectly, into ending their lives to save money or relieve the burden on family members. Others have called for improvements in palliative care and greater investments in hospices to ease suffering as a better and more moral alternative. Diane Abbott, a veteran left-wing Labour MP, urged MPs to "speak up for the voiceless one more time, because there is no doubt that if this bill is passed in its current form, people will lose their lives who do not need to, and they will be amongst the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society". Passions were running high outside parliament, where hundreds of people gathered to make their voices heard. 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News.com.au
an hour ago
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Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Chihuahuas have the stinkiest farts
Chihuahuas let out the smelliest farts. According to a study by Burns Pet Nutrition, 100 per cent of people who own the breed of toy dog say their gas smells rotten. However, it is dominant Rottweilers who have the most bottom burps - which are the second smelliest. The majority (95 per cent) fart more than three times a day. The Rotties were followed by Chihuahuas, Greyhounds (90 per cent), British Bulldogs, French Bulldogs (88 per cent), Labradors, Border Collies, Jack Russells, Pugs, Poodle Cross, and Spaniels The breed whose farts were ranked the third smelliest is the Pomeranian. They were followed by the Border Terrier, King Charles Spaniel, French Bulldog, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Dachshund, Boxers and Golden Retrievers. The least smelliest dog breeds included Schnauzers and Beagles (85 per cent). Laura Crotch-Harvey, of Burns Pet Nutrition, is quoted by the Daily Star newspaper as saying: "High-fat food, human snacks like cheese or crisps, and poor-quality dog food can all contribute to a gassy gut."
