Clarence Valley residents are being urged to be alert for the signs and symptoms of Measles by the Northern NSW Local Health District and get vaccinated if they are not up to date after a case was detected at Minnie Water.

On Monday, July 31, locals may have been exposed to a person with Measles if they had an encounter with anyone involved with a hazard reduction burn on Minnie Water Road, Minnie Water, between 8.30am and 5.30pm.

The previous day, Sunday July 30, people may have been exposed to the infected person at the Coffs Harbour University football field between 9am and 10am, and the Woolgoolga AFL sports field between 11am and 12pm.

Dr Valerie Delpech of the Northern NSW Population and Public Health Directorate said it is likely the case acquired their infection travelling in Bali, where a high number of cases have occurred in recent months.

“The case visited several locations in NSW while infectious, and contact tracing of potential high-risk persons is underway,” she said.

“Anyone who was in the same locations as the cases should be alert for signs and symptoms of measles until September 18, and check their vaccination status.”

Measles is highly contagious and is spread in the air by someone who is carry the disease when they cough or sneeze, and anyone born on or after 1966 who has not received two doses of the vaccine should do so to prevent infection.

“The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is available from GPs and some pharmacies for people 12 years of age and over,” Dr Delpech said.

“Children should receive the MMR vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age, as part of their routine childhood immunisations.

“Those most likely to be susceptible to measles are infants under 12 months of age who are too young to be vaccinated, anyone who is not fully vaccinated against the disease, including adults, and people with a weakened immune system.”

People with Measles will notice symptoms including fever, sore eyes, a cough followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash which typically spreads from the head and neck to the rest of the body.

“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it is really important to stay vigilant if you’ve been in the above locations,” Dr Delpech said.

“If you develop symptoms, please call ahead to your GP to ensure you do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.”