Queensland Health issues urgent warning as measles outbreak confirmed across state

Urgent health alerts have been issued after several cases of measles were detected in South East Queensland.

Two cases of the highly contagious disease have been confirmed on the Sunshine Coast and a third on the Gold Coast within the past several days.

Queensland Health says a person attended Clover Hill State School at Mudgeeraba between 8.30am and 3.30pm on October 7 while unknowingly infectious with the disease.

Those who travelled on afternoon school buses from the primary school to Austinville and from Tulipwood Drive, Bonogin to Austinville on the same day may also have been exposed to measles.

Alerts have also been issued for 16 locations on the Sunshine Coast, which were visited by two people who were unknowingly infectious at the time.

These places include:

• Caloundra Minor Illness and Injury Clinic: 3pm – 3.35pm on Monday, October 13

• Caloundra Minor Illness and Injury Clinic: 9.50am – 11am on Monday, October 13

• The Coffee Club at 30 Esplanade, Bulcock Beach – 7.30am – 9am on Monday, October 13

• Three Restaurant at 115 Bulcock St, Caloundra: 6pm – 10pm on Sunday, October 12

• Powerboat Club, 2 Lamerough Pde, Caloundra: 9.30am – 12.30pm on Sunday, October 12

• Powerboat Club, 2 Lamerough Pde, Caloundra: 1.30pm – 5pm on Saturday, October 11

• Cafe Sisily, 40 Landsborough Pde, Golden Beach: 10am – 11am on Saturday, October 11

• Woolworths Caloundra: 1pm – 3pm on Friday, October 10

• Aldi Caloundra: 1pm – 3pm on Friday, October 10

• McDonalds Caloundra: 8.30pm – 11pm on Thursday, October 9

• Powerboat Club, 2 Lamerough Pde, Caloundra: 7pm – 8.30pm on Thursday, October 9

• Powerboat Club, 2 Lamerough Pde, Caloundra: 9.30am – 1pm on Thursday, October 9

• The Pocket Espresso Bar, 6 Seaview Tce, Moffat Beach: 7.30am – 9am on Thursday, October 9

• Pelican Waters Bowls Club, 49 Nelson St, Golden Beach: 4pm – 5.30pm on Wednesday, October 8

• Woolworths Caloundra: 1pm – 3pm on Wednesday, October 8

• Powerboat Club, 2 Lamerough Pde, Caloundra: 10am – 12.30pm on Wednesday, October 8

Queensland Health is warning anyone who visited these locations at the specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles, and should be alert to symptoms for up to three weeks from the exposure date.

“Measles is a highly infectious virus that is spread by coughing and sneezing or through direct contact with secretions from the nose or mouth,” the department said.

“Symptoms usually start seven to 10 days after contact with an infected person, but can sometimes take as long as three weeks.”

Initial symptoms of measles can include fever, lethargy, runny nose, cough, and sore eyes.

This is followed a few days later by a blotchy, red rash that often starts on the face and spreads across the body.

Queensland Health says those most at risk of contracting the disease include people with a weakened immune system, those who have not been infected with measles before, or who were born during or after 1966 and have no documented evidence of receiving two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.

Anyone with measles symptoms can arrange testing with their doctor or call 13 HEALTH for advice. People who think they may have measles are urged to avoid public spaces.