Aussies warned to monitor for symptoms after tourist contracted measles
Aussies who visited several locations in inner-Sydney have been issued a warning.
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A tourist who contracted a highly infectious disease has sparked a warning to Aussies who have visited Sydney’s inner-west.
The European tourist had travelled to Australia after a trip to Vietnam, where an ongoing outbreak of measles has been detected, according to NSW Health.
The tourist, who travelled to a number of locations in Sydney’s inner-west between December 11-16, has contracted measles.
Sydney Local Health District Clinical Director of Public Health Dr Leena Gupta on Thursday urged people who attended the locations below to watch for symptoms, which could include fever, sore eyes and a cough.
A red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body typically appears three or four days after initial symptoms.
“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 3 January 2025,” Dr Gupta said.
“Anyone who develops symptoms should call ahead to their GP or emergency department and say that they may have measles to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.”
Dr Gupta also issued a reminder for the community to stay up to date with vaccinations, especially before international travel.
“The measles vaccine can also prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough,” she said.
“This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious.
“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine.
“This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world and Australia has recently detected several travel-related measles cases.”
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is free for children at 12 and 18 months of age, as well as for those in NSW born after 1965 who haven’t had two doses.
However children under the age of one can have their first dose of MMR up to six months earlier if they’re travelling to areas with a high measles risk.
Those unsure if they’ve had two doses are able to get a vaccine as additional doses are safe, with the vaccine available at GPs and pharmacies.
People who have visited the following locations have been urged to monitor for symptoms, however the locations pose no ongoing risk.
Wednesday, 11 December:
Flight JQ62 from Ho Chi Minh City landing in Sydney at 11:45AM
Sydney Airport International Terminal from 11:45AM to 2:00PM
Bus Route 420 from Airport Terminal to Arncliffe Fire Station from 1:30PM to 2:30PM
Bus Route 422 from Arncliffe Fire Station to Parramatta Road/Victoria Park from 1:30PM to 2:30PM
Light Rail L1/L2 from Haymarket to Circular Quay station from 6:30PM to 7:30PM
Laneway Cinema at The Rocks from 7:00PM to 9:45PM
Light Rail L2/3 from Circular Quay station to Haymarket from 9:15PM to 10:15PM
7-Eleven Haymarket (Capital Square, George Street) from 9:30PM to 10:15PM
Bus Route 431 from Haymarket to Glebe Point Road from 9:45PM to 10:45PM
Thursday, 12 December:
330 Wattle St, Ultimo NSW on Thursday, 12 December from 9:00AM to 4:00PM
Bus Route 370 from Glebe Point Road to King Street, Newtown from 3:30PM to 4:30PM
Bus Route 352 from King Street, Newtown to Redfern from 3:30PM to 4:30PM
Harris Farm Redfern on Thursday, 12 December from 4:00PM to 4:45PM
Bus Route 352 from Redfern to King Street from 4:15PM to 5:15PM
Bus Route 370 from King Street, Newtown to Glebe Point Road from 4:15PM to 5:15PM
Sunday, 15 December:
Leichhardt Medical and Dental Centre, 30-38 Short Street, Leichhardt from 4:30PM to 6:30PM
Monday, 16 December:
Leichhardt Medical and Dental Centre, 30-38 Short Street, Leichhardt from 7:30AM to 9:30AM
Originally published as Aussies warned to monitor for symptoms after tourist contracted measles
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