Measles and Polio Cases Prompt Health Authorities to Advise Caution
Health officials are urging vigilance as measles and polio cases emerge in Victoria, following international travel exposure
Victoria, Australia, Measles, Polio, Vaccination, Public Health
Victoria: Health officials are sounding the alarm after a new measles case popped up. It all started when someone was exposed on an international flight.
This case was reported in Victoria after a passenger on VietJet Air flight VJ083 landed in Brisbane on December 4. It’s actually the second case in December, following another traveler who tested positive in Queensland after passing through Melbourne Airport.
If you were at Melbourne Airport between 9:24 PM and 10:30 PM on December 8, or from 5 AM to 7:25 AM on December 9, keep an eye out for symptoms. You know, things like fever, cough, or a red bumpy rash.
There’s also been a report of an infected person visiting a Woolworths store in Oakleigh South and a couple of other shops in Bentleigh East on December 19. So, if you were there during those times, it’s best to stay alert for any signs.
On top of that, Chief Health Officer Clare Looker mentioned that wastewater testing has found poliovirus in the Melbourne area. This was detected on December 2 and seems to be linked to someone who got a live vaccine overseas.
Dr. Looker reassured everyone that this doesn’t pose a risk to residents since the sewage is treated properly. Australia uses an inactivated polio vaccine, which means it can’t cause polio or be found in the sewage.
Polio is a serious viral infection that can lead to paralysis, so it’s crucial for everyone, especially those unvaccinated, to be cautious. Dr. Looker emphasized that immunization is the best way to protect against polio.
There’s been a rise in measles cases among travelers in Australia lately, with 15 cases reported in Victoria this year alone. Unvaccinated babies and those with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk.
Symptoms can show up up to 18 days after exposure, and they might look a lot like COVID-19 or the flu at first. So, it’s important to stay vigilant, especially since people can spread the virus before they even know they’re sick.
Measles can spread through the air or by touching contaminated surfaces, and it can linger in the environment for a while. Outbreaks are happening in various parts of the world, including Asia and Europe, so it’s a good time to be cautious.