Sharing is certainly not caring this holiday season as illness runs rampant across the coast in the lead up to Christmas prompting health officials to remind those who are unwell to stay home and stop the spread.

A recent public health report was issued after the Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit confirmed a case of Measles in a return traveller from Vietnam who presented to hospital with the highly contagious condition on 6 December.

Measles is spread by coughing and sneezing and symptoms usually start 7-10 days after the contact with the infected person but can sometimes take as long as three weeks.

Persons who suspect they have the disease should be tested, are advised to isolate, and notify the Department of Health immediately by calling 13HEALTH.

According to Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit Advanced Epidemiologist Anne Maree Baldwin, COVID-19 activity in the community is “high and increasing”.

“We particularly urge people more at risk of severe COVID-19 to ensure their immunisation is up-to-date,” she said.

“This includes people aged 65 years and older, and people with a chronic condition such as diabetes, obesity or a respiratory or cardiac condition.

“Those aged over 75 need to be immunised every 6 months to maintain good protection.

“If you have respiratory symptoms, please take care to avoid others, especially older people and other risk groups.”

Whooping cough, RSV and the flu are also at high levels in the community as the traditional flu season extends well into summer.

“Nationally, this year’s influenza season was moderately severe, with high case numbers but fewer deaths than some seasons – this may be related to the most common strains circulating,” Ms Baldwin said.

Ms Baldwin said whooping cough had been spreading among children and teenagers.

“This is particularly concerning as infants younger than 6 months are at high risk of severe disease, too young to be vaccinated, and often in contact with older children,” she said.

Whooping cough immunisation is free for children, adolescents and pregnant women.

Ms Baldwin said RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) was the most common cause of hospitalisation for infants and young children.

For the first time, a new free RSV (pre-formed antibody) immunisation is available in Queensland and gives immediate protection.

This immunisation is for newborns and infants born since February 2024, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children younger than eight months, and others younger than 20 months with certain medical conditions.

For weekly respiratory virus tracking statistics visit ww.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/surveillance/reports/flu.