Health authorities in Western Australia are urging fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) workers to get vaccinated against measles following the confirmation of two additional cases. This warning comes in the wake of a previous alert issued last month after three cases were identified in the Perth and Pilbara regions.
Recent updates from WA Health have unveiled several new exposure sites, which include Perth Airport, Newman Airport, and Denpasar Airport in Bali, Indonesia. Additionally, there have been alerts regarding affected flights operated between Perth and Bali, with passengers advised to watch for any symptoms of measles.
Symptoms to look out for include fever, fatigue, a cough, runny nose, and sore eyes, typically followed by a red, non-itchy rash appearing about three to four days later, starting from the face and spreading across the body.
Dr Claire Huppertz emphasised that vaccination remains the most effective method to combat this highly contagious disease. She encouraged individuals aged between 30 and 60, whether travelling for work or leisure, to verify their measles vaccination status. The measles vaccine is free for anyone born after 1965 and provides a robust level of protection while also helping prevent community transmission.
Dr Huppertz highlighted the risks of measles, particularly for those working on mining sites in regional WA who may not be immune. Official statistics indicate that from January to May of this year, 77 cases of measles were diagnosed in Australia, most of which involved unvaccinated individuals who had travelled abroad shortly before their diagnosis.
Overall, vaccination is critical as health officials aim to mitigate the spread of this infectious disease within this vulnerable community of FIFO workers.