Young SA woman contracts measles

A young woman from South Australia has contracted measles, sparking a health alert.

A 22-year-old woman from South Australia has contracted measles.

SA Health has warned people who were in the same locations as the woman since 15 April, including a gym in Adelaide's west, to check for symptoms.

Symptoms start with fever, cough, runny nose and sore eyes, followed by a blotchy rash beginning on the head before spreading to the body.

Measles is a highly contagious and serious disease, which caused more than 2.6 million deaths globally each year prior to widespread vaccination in 1980.

It has sparked a health warning across the state, with SA Health acting director Dr Ann Koehler urging people to check if they are immunised.

"If you were born during or after 1966 and haven't received two measles vaccines, visit your GP or local council immunisation clinic to obtain a measles vaccine," she said.

This is the third cases of measles reported in South Australia this year, compared to two last year.

Just five years ago, the World Health Organisation announced that measles had been eliminated in Australia.


Share

1 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world