Northern NSW Local Health District is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a second person with measles who was infectious while visiting Lismore Square Shopping Centre last week.
The new case is a family member of a person who had recently returned from overseas and was confirmed on 9 February 2025 to have measles.
Northern NSW Local Health District Director of Population and Public Health, Dr Valerie Delpech, said the locations pose no ongoing risk to the public.
Dr Delpech said if you or someone you know, visited the following locations at during the specified times they should monitor for the development of symptoms:
- Wednesday 12 February 2025 – Lismore Square Shopping Centre, from 8.40am to 2.45pm, in particular time spent in Woolworths, Coles, Cotton On Body, and Pet Barn
- Thursday 13 February 2025 – Lismore Square Shopping Centre, from 8.45am to 5.25pm, in particular time spent in Cotton On, Cotton On Body, and Coles.
‘Symptoms to watch out for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body,’ Dr Delpech said.
‘It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms up until 3 March 2025.
‘We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough. This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious.
‘Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.’
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective, and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses.
Children under the age of 12 months can have their first dose of MMR up to six months earlier if they are travelling to areas with a high risk for measles. Parents should consult their GP.
People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over five years of age).
For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet.
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