Spike in flu numbers; measles from Bali on the rise; SA reports cases of leprosy and typhoid A spike in flu and measles reports in Adelaide has sparked a health warning.. SOUTH Australia has been hit with an unexpected spike in influenza numbers as well as highly contagious measles, spread by people who caught them on holidays in Bali. The past two months also have seen a case of leprosy and a case of typhoid reported (both are notifiable diseases). SA Health says there have been 156 cases of flu reported this week compared with 124 the previous week, and there now are 10 cases of measles in the past month linked to Bali holiday-makers. Flu reports included 79 males and 77 females, with a median age of 35 years. Of these, 22 per cent were children aged under 10 years and 13 per cent were aged 65 years or older. About a quarter of cases reported this year have been children aged under 10. SA Health has put out an alert for people to check their vaccination status before travelling overseas, following the reports linked to Bali. SA Health Chief Medical Officer Professor Paddy Phillips said three more cases of the highly infectious virus, linked to cases from earlier this month, have been confirmed. Measles is spread through coughing and sneezing and is highly contagious among people who are not fully immunised," Professor Phillips said. Immunisation provides the best protection against measles and it's vital that everyone born after 1966 makes sure they've had two doses of the measles vaccine to protect themselves and the community. We are encouraging everyone in this age group to check their vaccination records, and request the vaccine if there is no record of them receiving two doses. Children receive their first measles vaccination at 12 months and a second one at either 18 months old or four years old. The latest three cases have reported visiting places in the Adelaide CDB, southern suburbs and McLaren Vale during their infectious periods. Given that we are seeing an increased number of cases and that the possible exposures may not have occurred in just these areas, it is important that everyone is alert for symptoms," Prof Phillips said. The illness begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes, followed by a rash which begins on the head and then spreads down the body. Complications of measles can be severe. If anyone develops these symptoms they should go call their doctor for advice, to organise assessment and, if necessary, laboratory testing. It is very important that people phone their GP ahead of any visit and mention why they are attending, so that precautions can be taken to avoid spreading disease to We also suggest that people who believe they may have these symptoms remain at home while they are seeking medical advice to help stop the possible spread of infection. SA Health has contacted a number of other people known to have been exposed to the cases during the infectious period. Despite the spike in flu numbers this week, overall figures are less than last year - there have been 4046 influenza cases notified year-to-date compared with 5777 cases reported for the same period last year. There are 71 notifiable diseases and in the past eight weeks the number of notifications has fallen from 364 to 302, covering 30 diseases such as Q fever and chikungunya virus.