NSW Health issues measles alert for plane passengers at Sydney Airport

People at Sydney airport have been urged to watch for symptoms of measles after an infectious passenger moved through the terminals on Wednesday.

Passengers who travelled through Sydney International and Domestic Airports on Wednesday are being urged to stay alert for signs and symptoms of measles after an ACT resident who flew into Sydney was diagnosed with the illness.

NSW Health confirmed the person developed the highly contagious infection while travelling in Asia.

NSW Health assisting director of communicable diseases, Dr Katherine Todd, said these locations do not pose an ongoing risk, but urged people who may be susceptible to measles and were present at the above locations on Wednesday to be alert for symptoms until March 5.

The infected passenger travelled on Qantas from Asia. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

“Those most likely to be susceptible to measles are infants under 12 months of age who are too young to be vaccinated, and anyone who is not fully vaccinated against the disease, which may include some adults,” Dr Todd said.

People may have been exposed to the case in the following locations:

• Passengers on QF42 from Jakarta to Sydney departing at 7pm on February 14 and arriving in Sydney 6.20am on February 15,
• In the international arrivals terminal including baggage claim and customs, between 6am and 8am on February 15,
• Passengers on the Qantas transfers bus between the International and Domestic Terminals on the morning of February 15,
• In the domestic departures terminal of Sydney Airport before 10am on February 15,
• Passengers on flight QF1433 from Sydney to ACT departing 10am on February 15, and
• In the domestic arrivals terminal of Canberra Airport, including baggage claim between 11am and 11.30am on February 15

People who travelled through Sydney airports on February 15 are urged to say alert for possible measles symptoms. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Those who were on the above flights and who are:

• under the age of 12 months and have not received a measles vaccine,
• pregnant and not previously vaccinated against measles,
• immunocompromised
• are asked to urgently contact their local public health unit on 1300 066 055 to seek advice.

Dr Todd explained symptoms of measles include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash spreading from the head and neck to the rest of the body.

“If you develop symptoms, please call ahead to your GP to ensure you do not wait in the waiting room with other patients,” she said.

“The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is safe and effective protection against measles. It’s free for anyone born during or after 1966 who hasn’t already had two doses. If you’re unsure whether you’ve had two doses, it’s safe to have another,.”

Measles is highly contagious and is spread in the air through coughing or sneezing by someone who is unwell with the disease.