Infectious Diseases (Other)

The National Department of Health, Unicef, the World Health Organisation and Gavi have partnered to roll out a nationwide immunisation campaign against measles, rubella and polio.

In the case of measles, the health team has pointed out that the disease has no specific treatment but can be prevented through immunisation.

“Measles is more severe in children that are malnourished.

“The common signs of the disease include high fever, generalised skin rash, red eyes, a cough and a runny nose.

“Serious complications include an infection of the lung and brain.

Professor Geoff Tofler, from the University of Sydney and the Royal North Shore Hospital, said the increased risk was not just at the beginning of respiratory symptoms.

"It peaks in the first seven days and gradually reduces but remains elevated for one month," he said.

"This is the first study to report an association between respiratory infections such as pneumonia, influenza and bronchitis and increased risk of heart attack in patients confirmed by coronary angiography (a special x-ray to detect heart artery blockages)."