Ambulance
IN PHOTO: A man carrying official documents sits in an ambulance next to a coffin of one of 34 Lebanese victims who died after a boat they were in sank off Indonesia, at Beirut international airport October 31, 2013. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

Thousands of people could have been at risk for contracting measles after a Queensland Ambulance Service paramedic from Queensland was unknowingly carrying the contagious illness while attending to four Brisbane hospitals last week.

The 32-year-old man had been working the past five days on Moreton Island, transporting patients to and from both private and public hospitals in Southeast Queensland, Courier Mail reports. As he was working on May 11 and 12, the man had been to Princess Alexandra Hospital, Lady Cliento Children’s Hospital, Greenslopes Private Hospital and QEII Hospital on several occasions.

State chief health officer Jeannette Young warns those who may have been exposed to visit their doctor and get vaccination if necessary. Measles is a very serious disease and the man who contracted the illness is now very unwell, she said in a report by Brisbane Times.

Measles symptoms may include runny nose, fever, cough, sore eyes, and red rash. Young said that if people think they may have contracted the virus from exposure to the paramedic, they should consult their doctor so they could be isolated from other people.

Young gave out details of the time and day where the paramedic may have been. According to Young, the most important message she has is that the hospital has effective vaccines against measles. She urged everyone to get a shot to ensure protection from the disease.

Brad McCall, health unit director for metro south said that the first concern was directed toward those who have been to Moreton Island since the 14th. He also stressed that people should start considering getting measles vaccination.

There is now an on-going trace for contact that may have occurred with Queensland Ambulance Service patients and staff. For people who may have been in contact with the paramedic, Young advised them to contact 13 HEALTH if suspected measles symptoms arise.

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