There have been no new cases of measles reported to Queensland Health since a major scare on May 19 when a paramedic who had taken patients to hospitals was confirmed as sick with measles.
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At the time Queensland Health believed thousands of people – including tourists to Moreton Island and people in hospital waiting rooms - could have been at risk because measles is so contagious.
The ambulance paramedic took patients to the Lady Cliento Childrens' Hospital and the Princess Alexandra, Greenslopes and QEII hospitals while he was working in the middle two weeks of May.
That incident prompted an immediate public warning from Queensland's chief medical officer, Dr Jeanette Young, and Dr Brad McCall, director of Queensland Health's public health unit, that Southeast Queensland faced another serious measles scare.
Queensland's measles cases have increased five-fold since 2010, from 14 to 73.
Both senior health administrators warned people to check their immunisation status and see their doctors if measles symptoms emerged.
On Friday Dr Heidi Carroll, from Queensland Health's Communicable Diseases Unit, said while no new measles cases had been identified it was too early to say measles had not been accidentally spread by the paramedic.
"The incubation period for measles varies from 7-18 days," Dr Carroll said.
"So it is possible that some cases may still present," she said.
"People should remain alert of the symptoms of measles and seek medical attention if they show symptoms."
Staff from two of Southeast Queensland's hospital and health regions have contacted as many patients as they could who were in hospital waiting rooms on the days the infected man was working as a paramedic.
That includes the Metropolitan South region, which has the Lady Cilento, the QEII and the Princess Alexandra Hospital on the books.
Crucial days
Princess Alexandra Hospital - May 11: 7.45pm to 9.30pm;
Princess Alexandra Hospital - May 12: 11.15pm to 12.15am;
Princess Alexandra Hospital - May 12: 515am to 9.15am;
Greenslopes Private Hospital - May 12: 12.15am to 1.30am;
Lady Cilento Hospital - May 11: 9.30pm to 10.30pm;
QE11 Hospital - May 10: from 4am to 5.15am.
What the statistics show
Statistics from Queensland Health's Communicable Diseases Branch data show measles is becoming more pronounced in Queensland in the past three years.
In 2013 there were 56 measles cases. In 2014 that grew to 73 cases.
Queensland Health's statistics show the number of cases has grown five-fold from 14 only five tears ago in 2010.
This year there have only been eight cases of measles in Queensland to May 24, well down on the 34 cases by the same time last year.
Queensland Health's Communicable Diseases reports can be read here
Measles symptoms
- A high temperature or fever;
- Sore eyes and a runny nose usually occur first;
- A harsh dry cough is usual;
- A red blotchy rash normally develops about 3-4 days after the first symptoms.
- It usually starts on the head and neck and spreads down the body.
- The rash takes 2-3 days to cover most of the body.
- The rash often turns a brownish colour and gradually fades over a few days.
