Measles reaches New South Wales as WA outbreak spreads, health authorities warn
NSW Health urges vigilance after an infectious patient traveled from Western Australia, with exposure sites in airports and hospitals and symptoms potentially taking weeks to appear.
New South Wales health officials on Wednesday issued an alert after an infectious measles patient traveled from Western Australia amid an active outbreak there. The patient returned to NSW last Friday, prompting warnings for residents in Sydney and across the state's north to monitor for symptoms.
Potentially affected travelers include anyone at Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport, Terminal 2, between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 12. Passengers on Virgin Australia flights VA572 from Perth to Sydney and VA505 from Sydney to the Gold Coast on Friday were also advised to stay vigilant. The warning extended to anyone who visited Tweed Valley Hospital Emergency Department from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday. North Coast Public Health Director Dr. Valerie Delpech said symptoms could take several weeks to present, noting that fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough are early signs, usually followed three to four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.
"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 Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2025," Dr. Delpech said. NSW Health warned that measles symptoms can take up to 18 days to appear and urged those who have been exposed or who develop symptoms to call ahead to their GP or emergency department to avoid spending time in waiting rooms with other patients. Health authorities said residents across parts of NSW should monitor for symptoms and seek medical advice if they have concerns about measles.
NSW Health also noted that health authorities in Queensland and Western Australia have reported more extensive outbreaks in recent weeks. In Far North Queensland, Cairns and surrounding areas have reported six cases in the past three weeks linked to exposure sites at hospitals, shopping centers, fast-food outlets, restaurants, supermarkets, cafes and hostels across Cairns, Smithfield, Mareeba and Dimbulah. Cairns Hospital has introduced compulsory mask-wearing for visitors and staff in various wards, including intensive care, maternity, and the special care nursery, along with the cancer care ward and center, though masks are not required in other areas. The initial case was linked to backpacker hostels and traced to a patient who had recently arrived from Bali, with the other five cases believed to be locally acquired. The infectious carrier is understood to have traveled to Sydney from Perth.
On Saturday, WA health confirmed a further two cases in Perth, believed to be linked to travel from Bali. WA has recorded 35 measles cases this year. NSW Health urged individuals experiencing measles symptoms, or those seeking information about measles, to contact their GP or Healthdirect at 1800 022 222. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is provided free for children at 12 and 18 months and for anyone born after 1965 who has not yet had two doses. Children can receive a dose from six months of age if traveling overseas, but NSW Health advised parents to consult their GP. "People who are unsure whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe," NSW Health added. The MMR vaccine is available from GPs for all ages and from pharmacies for people over five years old, with travel considerations highlighted.