NT Health issues measles alert as confirmed case travels through Darwin, Alice Springs
NT Health has issued a measles alert, along with a string of locations visited by a sick tourist during a visit to the Northern Territory. FREE READ.
A man’s trip through the Territory has ended with NT Health issuing a measles alert, after he presented to Cairns hospital with symptoms.
NT Health issued the alert on Saturday morning, listing a number of locations the “confirmed case” the tourist had visited in Darwin and Alice Springs.
“Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, which is spread by breathing in airborne droplets from the coughs and sneezes of people infected with the disease,” the alert stated.
“Some people may experience complications from measles infections, including ear infections, pneumonia, and in rare cases infection of the brain (encephalitis). Children under five years old and adults are more likely to experience complications.”
The department determined the man visited about nine locations in the Territory across a seven day period, starting with an all-day Litchfield National Park tour with Ethical Adventures on July 17.
On July 18 to 19, the man went on an overnight AAPT Kings Jabiru tour, where he also visited the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel between roughly 6-8pm.
On July 20, the man visited the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT from 1-3pm, then went to the Darwin Airport at 3.30pm to check in and board QANTAS flight QF1960 to Alice Springs.
The flight arrived in Alice Springs and the man was in the airport from 7-7.30pm Sunday night.
NT Health did not list the man’s next locations until Wednesday, July 23, when he was said to have returned to the Alice Springs Airport at lunchtime to board Airnorth flight TL361 to Cairns.
The man likely acquired the disease in Bali, prior to coming to Darwin, according to the department.
The NT Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is working to get in touch with people identified as contacts during the seven-day period listed, according to the alert.
“Anyone who attended these locations during these times should monitor for symptoms including fever, sore or red eyes, runny nose and cough, followed by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the face and neck over the rest of the body. Symptoms can take up to 18 days after exposure to develop,” the alert said.
Since the start of 2025, 85 measles cases have been detected in Australia.
The NT CDC said Territorians born after 1965 should ensure they’ve had two doses of the measles vaccine – especially if they’re travelling to South-East Asia, where there has been measles outbreaks in multiple countries.
“The vaccine is safe and effective, and available from your GP, local health centre, Aboriginal health clinic, and vaccinating pharmacies,” the alert said
Originally published as NT Health issues measles alert as confirmed case travels through Darwin, Alice Springs
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