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Six infected with measles at Australian hospital

Xinhua, April 6, 2017 Adjust font size:

An outbreak of measles at a Western Sydney children's hospital has infected six people, including three children, it has been confirmed Thursday.

The latest cases brings the total number of people contracting measles in 2017 to 19 in Australia, with experts fearing more diagnosis to come.

The department of New South Wales Health director for communicable diseases, Vicky Sheppeard, urged anyone showing symptoms of the disease to call ahead before attending the Hospital, telling Fairfax Media, the six people all spent time at the Westmead Children's Hospital between April 1-2.

Authorities believe it's likely the virus was contracted overseas and has spread to at least 13 people locally in the area, including the six reported today.

It has also been reported that three out of the six people live together.

"There is a waning level of vaccination in the community," Australian Medical Association vice president, Tony Bartone told Xinhua.

"This leads to a drop in what's called the herd immunity level and we know that when it gets below a certain point you can get sporadic outbreaks in local clusters."

"We need to ensure that we get the message out there that vaccination in safe, vaccination will save lives and not only protect your own child but also the rest of the community." Enditem.