PHILIPSBURG--Travellers who went to South Africa for the World Cup might have brought back measles, government's Collective Preventive Services (CPS) Department reported Monday.

In the wake of reports about the spreading of measles in South Africa, CPS warned through the Government Information Service (GIS) that persons who had gone to the games there should check their health with a doctor.

CPS also recommended immunisation.

A man in Australia was confirmed as having measles at the start of this month. He had attended the games. He probably was exposed to it in either Cape Town or Rustenberg.

Doctors in Africa have reported more than 12,000 confirmed cases of measles since April 28.

A four- to seven-day fever is the first symptom of measles. Runny nose, cough, watery eyes and white spots inside the cheeks are all initial symptoms. A rash develops in the first 10 or 12 days after exposure to the virus. The rash lasts for five to six days and then fades.

An infected person can transmit the disease within the first four days of the infection. The virus remains active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours.

"Everyone from young adults to senior citizens can benefit from immunisation," CPS said. "Some adults incorrectly assume that the vaccines they received as children will protect them for the rest of their lives."

CPS is a branch of government's Sector Public Health, Social Welfare and Labour VSA.

Adults here can check their vaccination status and records with CPS. It recommends adult vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

CPS is also urging parents/guardians to take their children to Youth Health Care at the Vineyard Building in Philipsburg to check their vaccination status and/or have them vaccinated against preventable communicable diseases during the school summer vacation.