Measles outbreak: Holiday hotspot linked to rising Qld cases

Queensland Health has issued an alert as 12 measles cases emerge across the state, with officials linking the outbreak to returning overseas travellers.

A dozen measles cases have now been reported in Queensland.

One of Queensland’s favourite overseas haunts, Bali, has been linked to a wave of measles cases sweeping the state.

In the past six weeks 12 people have tested positive to the virus, with Cairns and Gold Coast the two hotspots.

All cases have been linked to people arriving from overseas.

Three more cases have been confirmed in Cairns this week alone, bringing the regional total to six.

Officials have now issued an alert after an infectious visitor spent more than eight hours in Cairns Hospital’s maternity ward, prompting masks to become compulsory in the special care nursery, maternity unit, cancer care ward, cancer care centre and intensive care unit.

Queensland Health chief health officer Catherine McDougall said the disease was highly contagious and potentially very dangerous.

“We are closely monitoring cases across the state, including the current outbreak in Cairns,” Dr McDougall said.

“Cases are being managed by the local public health units within the Hospital and Health Services.

“The cases are all linked to people who have returned from overseas travel.

“We know there are measles outbreaks occurring in a number of other countries.

“If you have recently returned from overseas or a close contact of an overseas traveller and develop fever or respiratory symptoms, please arrange to see your doctor.

“It’s important that you call before attending so that they can take appropriate precautions.”

Queensland Health issued warnings earlier this month after exposures at the Mad Monkey Waterfront hostel in Cairns were tied to travellers from Bali.

Cairns Public Health Unit director Jacqueline Murdoch said there had been several measles outbreaks recently in southeast Asia including in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Bali and other parts of Indonesia.

Western Australia has reported 35 infections this year, with health authorities repeatedly linking clusters to Bali.

NSW Health has also issued a separate alert after a confirmed case visited multiple sites in northern NSW and Sydney, including flights from Perth to Sydney (VA572) and Sydney to the Gold Coast (VA505).

Dr McDougall said vaccination was the best protection.

“Measles is a vaccine preventable disease,” she said.

“Two doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is given as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule, provides long-term, often lifelong protection.

“Studies show it is around 98 per cent effective against measles.

“We urge anyone who has not had their measles vaccine or who is unsure of their vaccination status to make an appointment with their GP or health care provider, especially those planning on travelling overseas.”

Anyone born during or since 1966 who has not received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine could access free vaccination through their GP or some pharmacies.