Health Authorities are concerned there could be a Rubella outbreak in Nimbin and surrounding areas.

The North Coast Public Health Unit has reported four cases so far and is worried there could be more in the next few weeks.

Assistant Director, Greg Bell, says anyone with symptoms of Rubella or German Measles, as it is known, should contact their doctor or Emergency Department's of local hospitals

"Symptoms of Rubella may include a mild fever and a red blotchy rash over the entire body. The rash lasts for around three days but children may not develop noticeable symptoms," said Mr Bell.



"Rubella is a viral infection that is usually mild in nature but can have very serious consequences for unborn babies if mothers contract the infection during pregnancy," he said.



"Infection during pregnancy can result in congenital rubella syndrome in up to 90% of infants born to women infected in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy,".



"Congenital rubella syndrome can result in miscarriage and a range of congenital problems including, intellectual disabilities, deafness, cataracts and heart abnormalities," said Mr Bell.



Anyone with symptoms should contact their General Practitioner or Emergency Department in advance before arriving for treatment to ensure that they can be isolated from other patients.



The Public Health Unit says vaccination is the most effective way of preventing the occurrence of congenital rubella syndrome.

People who need a vaccination for Rubella can visit a Clinic at Nimbin hospital on Tuesday the 6th of August from 10-00am to 12-00 noon.

