New cases increase measles outbreak risk
NSW Health has warned Sydneysiders to be on alert for signs of measles after two new cases were identified on Saturday.
The latest cases visited several sites across Sydney while unknowingly infectious, including Sydney International Airport and the Northern Beaches Hospital. One case is a returned traveller from South-East Asia, where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles, the other is an interstate traveller.
There is currently an increased risk of measles in NSW, with 17 cases confirmed since January 1.
Executive Director of Health Protection NSW Dr Vicky Sheppeard said it could take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after exposure.
“If symptoms develop and you’ve been at one of the locations at the time listed on the website, see your doctor or health service, including an emergency department. Call ahead to let them know that you may have come into contact with measles so you don’t spend time in waiting rooms with other patients,” she said.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body.”
NSW Health said the listed locations do not pose an ongoing risk.
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New locations exposed and how long to monitor symptoms
- Jetstar Flight JQ505/JST505 Sydney to Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne departed Wednesday, February 18 at 8am (monitor for symptoms until Sunday, March 8)
- Sydney Domestic Airport Terminal 2 Departures on Wednesday, February 18 between 5.30am and 8.30am (monitor for symptoms until Sunday, March 8)
- Advanced Health Pharmacy Bankstown on Tuesday, February 17 between 4.45pm and 5.30pm (monitor for symptoms until Saturday, March 7)
- Sydney International Airport arrivals taxi stand on Tuesday, February 17 between 1pm and 1.45pm (monitor for symptoms until Saturday, March 7)
- Sydney International Airport arrivals terminal and baggage claims area on Tuesday, February 17 between 11am and 1.30pm (monitor for symptoms until Saturday, March 7)
- Garuda Indonesia Flight GA712/GIA712Jakarta to Sydney International Airport departed on Tuesday, February 17 at 00.08am Jakarta time and arrived at 11am (monitor for symptoms until Saturday, March 7)
- Northern Beaches Hospital Ward 4C on Saturday, February 14 at 8.08pm, until Monday, February 16 at 1.56am (monitor for symptoms until Friday, March 6)
- Northern Beaches Hospital Emergency Department on Saturday, February 14 between 11.40am and 8.50pm (monitor for symptoms until Wednesday, March 4)
- Brookvale Medicare Urgent Care Clinic on Saturday, February 14 between 10.40am and 12.05pm (monitor for symptoms until Wednesday, March 4)
Ellie Busby is a Parramatta reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners
