Measles warning after three infected people return to Sydney
A third traveller who arrived in Sydney from overseas has been diagnosed with measles, a day after two people were confirmed to be infected with the disease. Resident in certain areas have been warned to check for symptoms.
A third measles diagnosis in two days has prompted NSW Health to issue another health warning, urging travellers to be vaccinated.
The third person arrived in Sydney from Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways flight EY 451, touching down at the airport at 11.55pm on August 16. He was unvaccinated.
Passengers on the flight and anyone who was at baggage claim, customs and arrivals around that time should be alert for symptoms until September 3.
Two other people returned home to Sydney, infected with measles in the last week. The duo flew from New Zealand and South America respectively and visited several locations around and in the CBD, far western and northern suburbs including gyms, train stations and shopping centres.
The locations included Hazelbrook and Central railway stations, International Towers 2 Barangaroo, Plus Fitness on Kent St, Hornsby Westfield and Pharmacy 4 Less Hornsby on August 15 and 16.
NSW Health’s director of communicable diseases Dr Vicky Sheppeard said anyone who had visited the locations “should be alert for signs and symptoms” until September 8.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body,” Dr Sheppeard said.
“Anyone who develops symptoms of measles should phone their GP to ensure they don’t wait alongside other patients before seeing their doctor.”
Measles is a highly contagious disease, and symptoms can take up to 18 days to develop.
The two infected people are in their 40s; however, only one had been vaccinated when they were a child.
They remain isolated in hospital for treatment.
PLACES VISITED BY THE DUO
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15
• Train from Hazelbrook to Central at 7:15am (last carriage)
• Train from Central to Wynyard arriving at around 9:00am
• Plus Fitness gym, AON Tower, 201 Kent Street, Noon to 1:00pm
• International Towers Sydney, Tower 2, 200 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo
• Pharmacy 4 Less Late Night Chemist, 171 Pacific Highway Hornsby, 3:30pm-4:00pm
• Chef’s Noodle Hornsby, 175 Peats Ferry Rd Hornsby 3:30pm-4:00pm
• Train from Wynyard to Central departing at 5:00pm
• Train from Central to Hazelbrook departing at 5:17pm (first carriage)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16
• Train from Hazelbrook to Central at 7:15am (last carriage)
• Train from Central to Wynyard arriving at around 9am
• Plus Fitness gym, AON Tower, 201 Kent Street, Noon to 1:00pm
• International Towers Sydney, Tower 2, 200 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo
• Hornsby Westfield, Seafood@Hornsby and the food court, at lunchtime
• Train from Wynyard to Central departing at 5:00pm
• Train from Central to Hazelbrook departing at 5:17pm (first carriage)
Monday 19 August
• Hazelbrook shops, including IGA and the pharmacy, midmorning
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