Recent Sepsis Case Highlights Measles Risk – Protect Yourself with Vaccination
You may have seen increasing rates of measles reported in the community with outbreaks more commonly identified. There has specifically been a patient with asplenia admitted to hospital with sepsis symptoms related to measles. Measles is a highly contagious disease, spread by droplets when an infected person coughs and sneezes. It can affect all non-immune people at any age and be quite serious. Symptoms include a red rash and fever. Measles is primarily prevented by vaccination and cases are monitored by the Health Departments in each state.
Australia was free of endemic measles since 2014, but this status could be under threat. A lot of this is linked to increases in international travel but also generalised decline in vaccination rates. It is important that people living without a functioning spleen remain up to date with all routinely recommended vaccines- not just the “Spleen vaccines”, especially if you are planning to travel or work in some specific environments. This includes measles prevention vaccines, MMR. Routinely, they are given in childhood but if it has not been documented, it did not happen.
It is best to be safe by getting a protective vaccination completed. People without a functioning spleen can safely receive live vaccines such as MMR, unless they are severely immunocompromised, pregnant or have other medical conditions that has contraindications for administration of live vaccines. It is really important to discuss your exact circumstances with your GP and plan to make a catch-up vaccination schedule for optimal protection.