Spiritual tour leaves measles behind

[Guest guest]

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,18884177-5001028,00.html

Spiritual tour leaves measles behind

 

April 21, 2006

 

SEVEN cases of measles linked to a spiritual tour by overseas visitors

have sparked a warning about infection from the Communicable Diseases

Network Australia (CDNA).

 

People who had contact with the Amma (Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi)

group during its recent national tour are being urged to seek medical

help if they develop measles-like symptoms.

 

CDNA deputy chair Vicki Krause warned that anyone aged under 45 years

who attended the Amma meetings and events, and who has not previously

received two doses of measles vaccine, should arrange urgent MMR or

measles vaccination.

 

Her call comes after six children aged between two and 10 years, and one

adult, in Western Australia caught the potentially severe virus after

attending spiritual workshops in Fremantle at the end of March.

 

"It appears the measles virus in the Western Australian cases was

introduced by overseas visitors with measles attending the Amma tour

gatherings," Dr Krause said.

 

 

 

"The disease has spread to local families with unimmunised children and

adults involved with the tour group."

 

The Amma tour, which left Australia for Singapore last week, also

included meetings and retreats -- of up to 1,000 people -- in Melbourne,

Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

 

State Public Health Units in WA, Victoria, New South Wales and

Queensland were working with the Amma organisation to identify people

who attended the national tour.

 

"Australian doctors also need to be aware of this situation and any

measles cases that may develop should be urgently notified to the

relevant state or territory health department or Public Health Unit so

that further spread of the disease is minimised," she said.

 

The incubation period for measles is about 10 days.

 

Early symptoms of measles include a cough, runny nose, high fever,

conjunctivitis or a red blotchy rash that may appear three days later

starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body.

 

--

Be Love,

Egyirba

 

-=-=-

....

"Growth is a painful process." --Wilma Mankiller, CHEROKEE

Whenever we grow, we usually need to let go of emotional attachments.

Letting go can be painful. Sometimes growth allows us to deal with

fear. All fear can fit into two categories: one, we're going to lose

something we have, and two, we're not going to get something we want.

Both of these categories can cause pain. The best way to grow is to pray

to the Great Spirit and ask Him to guide and protect us. All

growth is guided by God. My Creator, guide my growth today and give me

Your love and courage to help my pain.

 

--

 

Be Love,

Egyirba