‘Very infectious’: NSW Health warns Aussies to monitor for measles symptoms

A traveller with the highly contagious disease visited several locations in Sydney, including a local Westfield and the QVB over the last seven days.

Health authorities have urged residents to stay alert for symptoms of measles after an infected individual visited several places in Sydney over the last seven days.

The traveller had returned from South East Asia where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles in several countries including Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, NSW Health said on Friday.

“Symptoms of measles 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,” NSW Health director Dr Christine Selvey said.

“Symptoms may appear between 7 and 18 days after an exposure, so it’s important for people to stay vigilant if they’ve been exposed, and if they develop symptoms, to please call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.”

Several parts of the world are experiencing ongoing measles outbreaks, Dr Selvey said. Picture: George Frey/Getty Images /AFP

Dr Selvey said it should be a reminder for everyone to check they are vaccinated against the “very infectious” disease.

Given there are several outbreaks occurring in several parts of the world, Dr Selvey stressed the importance for overseas travellers to check they were up to date with two doses.

The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is included on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for children at 12 and 18 months of age.

It is also free in NSW for anyone born during or after 1966 who hasn’t already had two doses.

The warning for Sydney comes as an infected person visited several parts of the city’s east, including a local Westfield. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Children under the age of 12 months can have their first dose of the vaccine up to six

months earlier if they are travelling to areas with a high risk for measles.

People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses are still encouraged to get the shot as additional doses are safe.

The vaccine is available from general practitioners for everyone and at pharmacies for people over five years of age.

People who attended the following locations on the specified dates are warned to watch for symptoms:

Friday 14 February

• Westfield Eastgardens including Kmart and Myer from 1:30pm to 2:30pm and Ms Dumplings from 2pm to 3pm

• Sir Joseph Banks Hotel, Botany from 7pm to 9pm

Saturday 15 February

• The Brothers Cafe, Darling Square (Haymarket) from 1pm to 2:30pm

• Eternity Cafe, Town Hall from 2:15pm to 3:45pm

• Queen Victoria Building (QVB) from 3:15pm to 4pm

• Myer Sydney City (various levels including parents’ room) from 3:30pm to 4:30pm

• OPSM, 413 George Street, Sydney from 4pm to 4:40pm

• Bunnings, Alexandria from 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Sunday 16 February

• Westfield Eastgardens including the food court, Coles, Big W, Kmart, Target and Priceline from 12pm to 2:30pm

The confirmed measles case also made an afternoon visit to the Queen Victoria Building on February 15.

Monday 17 February

• Botany Road Doctors, Suite 3 530 Botany Road, Rosebery from 3:00pm to 5:30pm

• Seasoning Thai, Alexandria from 5pm to 6pm

Tuesday 18 February

• Westfield Eastgardens including the food court, Coles, Big W, Target, Bakers Delight and Kmart from 4:30pm to 6pm

Wednesday 19 February

• Westfield Eastgardens including Big W, Target and Kmart from 4:30pm to 6pm and OPSM from 4:30pm to 5:30pm

Thursday 20 February

• Botany Road Doctors, Suite 3 530 Botany Road, Rosebery from 1:00pm-3:45pm

• Chemist Warehouse, Botany from 3:30pm to 4:10pm

• IGA, Botany from 3:45pm to 4:30pm

The World Health Organisation says that being vaccinated is an effective way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people.

The health body estimates that measles vaccination has averted more than 60 million deaths between 2000 and 2023.