South West put on notice after person infectious with measles travels in region

Measles alert issued for South West after infectious person travels through region

Health officials are urging people in the South West to be on the lookout for measles after a person infectious with the disease travelled through the region. The person, who is not a resident of the South West, travelled through Bunbury, Busselton and Margaret River on January 20 and 21. Anyone who was in these areas at the same time and has not been vaccinated against measles is urged to contact their doctor immediately. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can be spread through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash. In severe cases, measles can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death. The South West Health Service is urging people to be aware of the symptoms of measles and to contact their doctor immediately if they think they may have been infected. The Health Service is also offering free measles vaccinations to anyone who has not been vaccinated. For more information on measles, please visit the Health Service website.