Measles alert for South Western Sydney GPs

The South Western Sydney Local Health District has issued a measles alert for South Western Sydney. 

There is an increased risk of measles associated with travellers, especially people returning from Vietnam.

Background:

• There are several measles outbreaks overseas, particularly in South-East Asia (most notably Vietnam), the Middle East and some states in the USA (in particular Texas).

Clinical Assessment:

• Suspect measles in returned travellers presenting with fever and any of the following: cough, coryza, conjunctivitis or rash, particularly if there is an unclear history of measles vaccination.

Action:

• Isolate case from waiting room on arrival (reception staff should be informed of the risk)
• Have the case wear a mask
• Call the Public Health Unit ASAP (preferably while the patient is still in the consulting room) on 1300 066 055 (business hours) or 8738 3000 (after hours – Liverpool Hospital switch)
  • PHU can guide you through the process
• Testing:
  • Nasal/throat swab for measles PCR, and
  • First pass urine sample for measles PCR
  • Mark form as ‘Urgent’
  • Ensure pathology service aware

Advise the patient:

• To isolate at home until test results are received
• That PHU will be calling them, and encourage them to engage with us
• Provide a measles factsheet:
  • English
  • Other languages