Health alert issued after traveller returns to Sydney infected with measles

A health alert has been issued after a traveller returned to a major city and visited several locations while they were infected with measles.

A health alert has been issued after a traveller returned from Vietnam and visited several locations in Sydney’s south while they were infected with measles last week.

People who were on-board Jetstar flight JQ62 that departed Ho Chi Minh City at 10.40pm on March 9 and were at the Sydney International Airport baggage area from 11am the following day have been told to check for symptoms.

The infected person also went to the 169 Cafe in Randwick and Ooshman Maroubra at Pacific Square on March 10.

Later that week they attended the Matraville Medical Complex, Healthsave Pharmacy and the Prince of Wales Emergency Department between March 13 and 15.

A person infected with measles returned to Sydney on a Jetstar flight that departed Ho Chi Minh City at 10.40pm on March 9. Picture: Victoria Department of Health

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Director of Public Health Dr Vicky Sheppeard urged people to make sure their vaccinations were up to date, especially if they were travelling overseas.

Measles outbreaks were occurring in several regions around the world, including a large outbreak in Vietnam, Dr Sheppard said.

“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine,” she said.

“The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough.”

Dr Sheppard said measles was a vaccine preventable disease that spreads through the air when an infectious person coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms to watch out for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body. Picture: Victoria Department of Health

“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body,” she said.

“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms up until April 2.”

People who develop symptoms were advised to call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.

Originally published as Health alert issued after traveller returns to Sydney infected with measles