Health officials in Queensland are sounding the alarm. They’ve reported a Cairns measles case after a Townsville measles recently circulated. The Townsville case would be the first local transmission of the virus in close to five years. Not surprisingly, this finding has alarmed health officials, who are recommending that travelers to Southeast Asia receive measles vaccinations.
Cairns case, which is a close contact of the person who contracted the virus after arriving from Bali. Queensland health officials have ruled out that the Cairns and Townsville cases are connected. Vaccination rates are continuing to drop across Queensland. Health experts have repeatedly raised the alarm that this travel situation is a serious threat to international travelers and the American public.
Rising Concerns Over Vaccination Rates
Dr. Jacqueline Murdoch reminded us that vaccination is crucial, especially for anyone who will be traveling.
“We have good coverage of measles vaccination, but it’s really important to be vaccinated with two doses of measles-containing vaccine, especially if you’re travelling overseas,” – Dr. Jacqueline Murdoch.
Cairns now has a stunning vaccination coverage of 92% for children <5 yrs. The state average for fully vaccinated two-year-olds is 90.3%. One vaccination expert warns that a level of 95% vaccination is needed to protect against herd immunity with measles.
Dr. Nigel McMillan highlighted the troubling trend of declining vaccination rates in certain regions, stating, “What we’re seeing now, particularly around parts of Noosa and parts of north Queensland, is vaccination rates dropping below 90 and, in some cases, nearly to 85 percent.”
He emphasized that these numbers are unprecedentedly high. These measures are still inadequate to prevent the virus from spreading throughout the community.
Health Officials Urge Vigilance
Because of these recent outbreaks, health officials are moving to eliminate. They are encouraging anyone with known exposure or symptoms to go into self-isolation as soon as possible. Dr. Yates explained how measles symptoms typically manifest:
“A few days later, people develop a red blotchy rash which starts from the head and spreads down the body,” – Dr. Jacqueline Murdoch.
Health officials are encouraging those who attended specific locations in Cairns to monitor for signs and symptoms and to seek medical advice if necessary. Dr. Murdoch emphasized the need to give healthcare providers advance notice to reduce any potential harm to other people.
Dr. McMillan noted, “We’ve not had this sort of local transmission on this sort of scale before,” highlighting the unprecedented nature of the current situation. He said, “This is pretty much uncharted waters for us! Health officials are struggling to address the issues caused by falling vaccination rates.
Recommendations for Travelers
With new cases continuing to be reported, health officials are advising anyone traveling to Southeast Asia to check their vaccination status. Dozens of measles outbreaks have been recorded in the area.
“If anyone is going to these places over the school holidays or in the upcoming months, please see your GP and make sure you have sufficient immunity to measles,” – Dr. Jacqueline Murdoch.
Dr. Murdoch expressed concern about the potential for individuals to return home with the virus, stating, “We don’t want anyone bringing measles back to Cairns and spreading it in our community.”
Health officials are focusing first on adequate overall vaccination coverage. This is especially important in light of recent outbreaks in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia including Bali.
