The ACT’s health authorities are urging a high alert after a traveller with measles was unknowingly infectious in the community.
Late on Friday (20 February), ACT Government Health and Community Services Directorate (HCSD) confirmed a measles case in a traveller who recently returned from overseas.
“Known contacts are being followed up in line with national guidelines to provide them with appropriate advice,” the spokesperson said.
The person went to several public places while unknowingly infectious, including:
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Hertz Car Rental Agency within the Canberra Airport on Monday (16 February) between 5 pm and 7:30 pm
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Arrivals area (ground level) within the Canberra Airport on Monday (16 February) between 5 pm and 7:30 pm
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Gungahlin Walk-In Centre on 18 February between 3:15 pm and 5:40 pm
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The Emergency Department waiting room within Canberra Hospital on Wednesday (18 February) between 6 pm and 8:30 pm.
The HCSD spokesperson also asked anyone who hasn’t been contacted (and went to the above locations within the given times) to watch for measles symptoms.
These locations do not provide an ongoing risk to Canberrans.
I get the claimed figures on both my car and van so it's not like hitting them is impossible, but it is highly dependent on how and where you drive. Many people drive with the smoothness and ability to look ahead of a myopic orangutan (e.g. accelerate hard, immediately jump to brakes, back to acceleration, repeat) but even with a bit of care there's only so much you can do if your driving involves a lot of short trips and stop start traffic.