THOUSANDS of surf lifesavers could have been exposed to measles at last week's Australian championships on the Gold Coast.

Queensland Health has put out a warning to anyone who was at the championships, the Q1 supertower or the McDonald's restaurant at Labrador to be on alert for symptoms of the potentially deadly disease.

Gold Coast Public Health Medical Officer, Dr Don Staines, said a person who had no history of travel and was thought to have acquired the infection somewhere on the Gold Coast.

“We urge anyone who was at Q1 or who attended the surf lifesaving carnival on Kurrawa Beach, or visited the McDonalds restaurant in Labrador on those days, to ensure they are protected against measles and to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms,’ Dr Staines said.

Measles is one of the most infectious of all communicable diseases, and can be acquired in public places if infectious people are present. Measles is spread by tiny droplets through coughing and sneezing. The virus can last for several hours in the environment.



The initial symptoms are fever, lethargy, runny nose, moist cough and sore and red eyes, followed a few days later by a blotchy red rash. The rash starts on the face then becomes widespread.”



Dr Staines said symptoms usually started around 10 days after infection but sometimes longer.

“Anyone who develops measles-like symptoms within the next week or two should contact their GP for advice,” he said.

“It’s very important to call the medical practice first to say you could have measles, so that staff can take precautions to avoid spreading the disease to others.”

Dr Staines said Queensland Health recommended anyone born during or since 1966, who had not had two documented doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine or had proven measles, to visit their local GP for a free extra vaccination.

“Measles can be very distressing for those affected, and complications can include pneumonia or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and occasionally death,” he said.

Originally published as Measles scare for thousands on Coast