Perth measles alert after child hospitalised with virus

Armadale Hospital’s emergency department and Joondalup Health Campus’ emergency department have both been confirmed as exposure sites over the last week.

There have been two confirmed cases of measles since October 27, with no known links between the cases. In one case a child has been hospitalised and is receiving treatment.

The most recent case is not linked to overseas travel, raising concern for undetected measles transmission in the community, WA Health said in a statement.

Communicable Disease Control Director Dr Paul Armstrong urged parents and carers to remain alert for symptoms, particularly in babies and young children.

“Early symptoms can resemble a common cold, including fever, a runny nose, cough and red or watery eyes. Babies and toddlers may also become unusually irritable or tired, feed less or lose their appetite,” he said.

“These symptoms are typically followed three or four days later by a red, non-itchy rash, which usually begins on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.”

The health department has reminded health practitioners to be alert for potential cases, particularly among recently returned overseas travellers.

General practices and emergency departments should check recent travel with patients, ask about close contact with potential measles cases or known exposure sites when assessing acute illness.

They should also identify people with measles-compatible illness at reception or triage, provide a mask and isolate them immediately.

Place the person in a negative pressure isolation room where available, or a single room with the door closed, and apply airborne precautions for all staff entering the room. Staff caring for the patient must be immune to measles.

If a patient presents with a fever or rash, test for measles on an urgent basis. Testing options include:

• Measles PCR on throat swab or nasopharyngeal aspirate in viral transport medium (or dry swab) and first catch urine. If possible, also collect 3mL of blood in an EDTA tube.
• Measles serology. If possible, collect 3mL blood in SST tube, and request measles IgM and IgG.

Dr Armstrong said vaccination remains the best defence against measles.

In Australia, children routinely receive their first MMR vaccine at 12 months, followed by a second measles-containing vaccine at 18 months.

The MMR vaccine is free in WA for anyone born during or after 1966 who has not received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.

Armadale Hospital was recorded as an exposure site on October 28 while Joondalup Health Campus was exposed on October 26.

Anyone who visited an exposure location during those dates should monitor for symptoms for seven to 18 days following their visit. If symptoms develop, they should call ahead before attending a GP clinic or emergency department so precautions can be taken to protect other patients and staff.

A full list of exposure sites and times is available on the WA Health website.