A number of Brisbane residents are at risk of catching this highly-infectious illness.

Queensland Health has confirmed that a bus commuter who attended university lectures and visited a major shopping centre and South Bank recently was infected with measles.

The health department issued an alert after the patient tested positive for the highly-infectious illness and confirmed that the person was infectious when they attended lectures at the University of Queensland Faculty of Business on July 29, July 31, and August 3.

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Measles via Queensland Health

The person also used public transport and visited the following places, prompting warnings that more cases could be possible given the number of people exposed:

  • South Bank to/from Indooroopilly Shopping Town by bus on Tuesday July 28 afternoon
  • South Bank to UQ/St Lucia by bus No. 66 on Wednesday July 29 morning
  • Bus from UQ St Lucia to South Bank and The Fox Hotel on Wednesday July 29 afternoon/evening
  • Lunchtime at Advanced Engineering Café UQ St Lucia Wednesday July 29
  • South Bank to/from UQ/St Lucia by bus No. 66 on Friday July 31 morning-evening return
  • Pharmacy at UQ/St Lucia Friday July 31 morning
  • South Bank to/from UQ/St Lucia by bus No. 66 on Monday August 3 morning-afternoon return
  • South Bank to UQ/St Lucia by bus No. 66 on Tuesday August 4 morning
  • UQ Health /St Lucia Tuesday August 4 morning

Metro South Health (MSH) public health physician Dr Kari Jarvinen said fellow students, travellers and others visiting the premises above in particular needed to be alert for symptoms.

People who may have come into contact with the patient who are uncertain of their immunity to measles should speak to their GP immediately. Public health staff have already been contacting people known to have been in close contact with the case.

Dr Jarvinen said measles is one of the most infectious of all communicable diseases and is spread by tiny droplets through coughing and sneezing.

“True measles is a serious viral infection that causes fever, cough, runny nose, then a red spotty rash and sore eyes a few days later.

“Symptoms usually start around 7 to 10 days after contact with an infectious person, but sometimes longer so anyone who develops measles-like symptoms within the next fortnight should contact their GP for advice.

“It is 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.”

For more information on the measles virus visit: Queensland Health  or contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).