Passengers on Brisbane train may have been exposed to measles

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDApr 2 2010

A NSW man who was diagnosed with measles travelled in a train from the Brisbane International Airport to South Brisbane about 8am on Saturday.

The Queensland Health warns people who travelled with this man and wishes to contact them as they may have been exposed to the virus. Before his train travel he flew into Brisbane on a flight from New Zealand and health authorities have already contacted his fellow passengers there.

QH Communicable Diseases Branch senior director Dr. Christine Selvey said measles virus spreads through tiny droplets of saliva and mucus that are released during coughing. Once released on coughing the virus can last in the environment for up to 2 hours. After exposure the person may develop the disease in about 10 days. The symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, cough, sore and redness of eyes, tiredness and blotchy red rash. In severe cases measles might cause pneumonia and brain inflammation. Measles can however be prevented by vaccination.

"It's important to call the doctor's office first to advise you could have measles, and ask to be seen away from the waiting room to avoid spreading the disease to others," Dr. Selvey said in a statement.

People who may have traveled with the man should contact 13 HEALTH now (13 43 25 84).