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23rd May 2017

Measles alert: unvaccinated toddler may have exposed entire flight

Niamh Maher

People are being advised to look out for symptoms.

Passengers travelling on a Melbourne-bound Garuda Indonesia flight have been placed on high alert for measles after it emerged an unvaccinated toddler travelled on the plane with the disease.

According to the nypost.com a 3-year-old child was admitted to a hospital over the weekend after flying into Melbourne from Jakarta on Garuda Indonesia Flight GA 716.

In a statement released this week, Victoria’s deputy chief health officer Brett Sutton said:

“Anyone developing symptoms is advised to ring ahead to their general practitioner or hospital first and tell them that they have a fever and a rash,”

“If you know you have been in contact with a measles case, please alert your GP or hospital emergency department.” Mr.Sutton added.

A statement was also issued to doctors and hospitals in the locality advising them to be on the lookout, adding that the toddler acquired the infection while in Indonesia and medical staff should be prepared.