Articles by Yashee Sharma

Health

Outbreak of highly infectious disease widens after rapper's Aussie concert

Queensland's measles outbreak has widened after health authorities confirmed a fourth infected person had attended the Jelly Roll concert. Metro South Public Health Unit said the person did not know they were infected when they saw the American rapper perform at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on October 24. They then visited the Mustang Brothers Football Club on November 8, Mullein Pharmacy Hillcrest on November 12, and Logan Hospital Emergency Department on November 12 and 14. READ MORE: The political scandal every Australian PM could be at risk of repeating Three more infected concertgoers were also found to have spent time in the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Wide Bay areas. Health authorities are conducting contact tracing and will notify anyone who may have been exposed, but urged others who visited the same locations to monitor for symptoms. The warning comes just days after a Queenslander unknowingly infected with measles visited several locations during their travel to Sydney. They attended the Oasis concert at ACCOR Stadium on November 8, as well as the Sydney Airport, CBD, Inner West and trains on November 8 and 10. NSW Health has consequently also issued a measles alert. "It's important for people to stay vigilant if they've been exposed, and if they develop symptoms, to please call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients," Health Protection NSW Executive Director Dr Jeremy McAnulty said. READ MORE: Multiple hurt, man fighting for life after speedway car hits crowd Tens of thousands are estimated to have attended the Jelly Roll and Oasis concerts. Measles, a highly contagious infection that can lead to a red spotty rash, fever, cough, runny nose and sore eyes, can begin to present itself between 10 to 18 days from the time of contact. Anyone who believes they may be infected should avoid public spaces and get tested.  NSW and Queensland health authorities are using the recent cases of measles to remind the public, particularly children and those aged 60 or under, to ensure they are vaccinated against the preventable disease.  The full list of exact exposure times has been published on the Queensland Health and NSW Health websites.  DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.