Warning over measles outbreak in Melbourne after Big W employee worked shifts while being infected 

  • A person was found to have worked at a Big W store while infected with measles 
  • They worked afternoon and evening shifts between March 3 and March 6
  • It is believed the worker contracted the illness while holidaying in Bali recently 
  • Authorities are concerned store shoppers may have also been infected

By BRYANT HEVESI FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

A public health warning has been issued over a measles outbreak.

The warning was issued by Victoria's acting chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton on Sunday after a person was found to have worked at a discount department store while infectious with measles.

The casual employee of the Big W store in Werribee Plaza, in Melbourne's west, worked afternoon and evening shifts between March 3 and March 6 while infectious, before they were diagnosed with the illness.

Heath authorities in Victoria have issued a warning over a potential measles outbreak. Pictured is a stock image of a measles rash 

Heath authorities in Victoria have issued a warning over a potential measles outbreak. Pictured is a stock image of a measles rash 

'The individual's co-workers have already been advised of the case and to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles,' Dr Sutton said, the ABC reported.  

'It is thought a recent visit to Bali is where the illness was contracted, but the symptoms were not apparent until well after their return.'

A casual employee of the Big W store at Melbourne's Werribee Plaza (pictured) worked while infected with measles

A casual employee of the Big W store at Melbourne's Werribee Plaza (pictured) worked while infected with measles

MEASLES SYMPTOMS

- Fever

- General discomfort, illness or lack of wellbeing (malaise)

- Runny nose

- Dry cough

- Sore and red eyes (conjunctivitis)

- Red and bluish spots inside the mouth (Koplik's spots)

- Red and blotchy skin rash that appears first on the face and hairline, and then spreads to the body

Source: Victoria Department of Health and Human Services 

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Dr Sutton said the worker did not require treatment in hospital but was still recovering from the illness.  

He said he was concerned others could have been infected by coming into contact with the employee.

He warned anyone with symptoms including a rash, fever or cough should seek medical treatment.

'Measles has an incubation period of up to 18 days so illness acquired from contact could still be coming through, and cases could still remain infectious for many days,' he said. 

The Big W employee worked on March 3, 8pm to midnight; March 4, 5pm to 9pm; March 5, 3pm to 6pm and March 6, 6pm to 9pm. 

 

Melbourne

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