The Collective Preventive Services (CPS) of Sector Public Health, Social Development & Labour, is asking persons who travelled to this year’s World Cup in South Africa to watch for the possible development of measles.
A laboratory confirmed case was found in Australia after a 24-year-old male traveller was diagnosed with the measles after attending the FIFA World Cup.
The patient’s symptoms first appeared on Friday, July 2, 2010 and the rash appeared on July 4, 2010. It could be speculated that he became infected in either Cape Town or Rustenberg.
The first signs of measles are usually a high fever, which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus, and last four to seven days.
A runny nose, a cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage. After several days, a rash develops, usually on the face and upper neck. After three days, the rash spreads, eventually reaching the hands and feet.
The rash lasts for five to six days, and then fades. On average, the rash occurs 14 days after exposure to the virus. It can be transmitted by an infected person from four days prior to the onset of the rash to four days after the rash begins.
The virus remains active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours.
As of April 28, 2010, there were over 12,000 cases of confirmed measles in an outbreak that started in South Africa in January 2009.
CPS is requesting persons who have travelled to South Africa to monitor any health conditions evolving and immediately consult their physician.
Everyone from young adults to senior citizens can benefit from immunizations. Some adults incorrectly assume that the vaccines they received as children will protect them for the rest of their lives.
Therefore, it is very important for adults to review their vaccination status by checking with their physician or if the adults have attended school on Sint Maarten, they can check with CPS for their vaccination status and records. One of the recommended adult vaccines is Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR).
CPS is also urging parents/guardians to take their child during the school summer vacation to Youth Health Care at the Vineyard Building in Philipsburg to check their child’s vaccination status and/or have them vaccinated against preventable communicable diseases.
Those requiring further information can call 542-3003 for further information.