Measles outbreak prompts mask mandate at Cairns Hospital as cases surge in Far North Queensland

An urgent measles outbreak in Far North Queensland has prompted a temporary mask mandate at Cairns Hospital as authorities confirm six cases in the past three weeks. A public health alert for Cairns lists dozens of exposure sites, including the hospital, the CBD, supermarkets, shopping centres, restaurants and backpacker hostels, underscoring the spread in a busy tourist region.

Cairns Hospital said masks are compulsory for visitors and staff in several wards, including intensive care, maternity, the special care nursery, the cancer care ward and centre. In other areas, masks are not required but are strongly encouraged for anyone attending Cairns Hospital or other health facilities. While masks are not mandated across all areas, health officials stressed the virus is highly contagious and that precautions help limit transmission.

The outbreak’s first confirmed case is linked to backpacker hostels and traced to a patient who had recently arrived from Bali. The other five cases are believed locally acquired. An unrelated measles case was identified in Townsville last week. In addition, NSW Health issued a separate alert after a patient who visited multiple sites in northern NSW and Sydney while infected traveled on flights from Perth to Sydney (VA572) and Sydney to the Gold Coast (VA505). They were returning from Western Australia, which has recorded 35 measles cases so far this year. WA’s health department reported 16 measles cases since July, of which five were returned travellers and the others locally acquired.

Health authorities warn droplets in the air may still infect people entering a room up to 30 minutes after an infected person has left. Symptoms typically begin 7-18 days after exposure, though it can take as long as three weeks. Early signs include fever, fatigue, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes, followed several days later by a blotchy red rash that often starts on the face and spreads across the body. Complications can include pneumonia and, in rare cases, encephalitis.

Public health officials stress that vaccination remains the most effective defense. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is free and available through general practitioners and participating pharmacies. Anyone who has not received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine or who was not previously infected remains at higher risk of contracting the disease, particularly in outbreak settings.

For Australians traveling overseas, health authorities advise consulting a GP before travel, especially when heading to Southeast Asia, where recent measles activity has been reported in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. Travelers should confirm their vaccination status and consider obtaining an MMR booster if needed, given potential exposure abroad and in other travel hubs.