Dr Megan Young1, Associate Professor Kate McCarthy2,3
1Metro North Public Health Unit, Windsor, Brisbane, 2Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, 3University of Queensland Medical School
Biography:
Dr Megan Young is a public health physician at the Metro North Public Health Unit in Brisbane. She holds a PhD in Public Health and Adjunct Associate Professor positions at the University of Queensland and Griffith University. Her research interests in notifiable conditions have led to more than 50 publications. She regularly sits on State and National communicable disease policy working groups, recently including the working group responsible for the national public health guideline for measles. She also has significant experience leading the public health response to notified measles cases.
Associate Professor Kate McCarthy is an Infectious Diseases Physician and a Microbiologist. She is an Associate Professor with the University of Queensland Medical School. She is a committee member of the Australian Healthcare Infection Control Special Interest Group and is the Medical Director of Infection Control at the RBWH. A/Prof McCarthy has authored 36 publications and co-supervises two PhD students. She lectures for the University of Queensland Medical School. A/Prof McCarthy is passionate about research that impacts the longer term care of the patients she sees in clinical practice.
Abstract:
Measles is a highly infectious disease that is no longer endemic in Australia. However, cases continue to occur within the Australian borders, typically amongst returned overseas travellers. Measles provides unique infection control issues for the hospital setting where large numbers of healthcare workers and potentially vulnerable patients may be exposed to a presenting infectious case. We will highlight these issues through case study and provide updates on the latest Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) guidance on exposure management and prevention.