Sydney Dance Competition Spawns Measles Outbreak

A dance competition held in Sydney in December appears to have fostered an outbreak of the highly contagious measles virus, cases reported as far as Adelaide and New Zealand.

NSW Health issued a warning to people who attended the World Supremacy Battlegrounds hip hop dance competition at Sydney's Olympic Park after becoming aware of three cases – in Sydney, Adelaide and New Zealand – likely contracted at the competition.

Today the New Zealand Herald indicated that 11 cases had now been confirmed across the Tasman, all coming from two extended families of four people who attended the event 100 people in Auckland's Waikato and Lake Taupo areas have been tested.

NSW Health's Director of Communicable Diseases Dr Vicky Sheppeard said that people who had attended the event and are experiencing the symptoms of measles should contact their local public health unit or local doctor.

“Measles is highly infectious and is spread through coughing and sneezing,” she said.

“Symptoms can include fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes which usually last for several days before a red, blotchy rash appears. Complications can range from an ear infection to pneumonia or swelling of the brain.”

World Supremacy Battleground also issued a statement that echoes NSW Health's concerns.

Dr Sheppeard added, “We encourage anyone who has not previously been vaccinated to do so.

“Children should receive two doses of vaccine, one at 12 months and the second at 18 months. Children over 18 months who have not had their second dose of measles vaccine can be vaccinated now. Anyone born after 1965 should have two doses of vaccine (at least 4 weeks apart).”

The dance competition was held from 6-8 December and attracted competitors from Australia, New Zealand, Philippines and Japan, amongst others. $15,000 in cash and prizes were up for grabs.