Health officials have issued an alert after an infectious measles patient flew to New South Wales from the site of an active outbreak in Western Australia.
NSW Health warned residents in Sydney and across the state’s north to monitor for symptoms on Wednesday after it learned an infectious person had returned from WA on Friday.
Potentially-affected travellers are advised to monitor for symptoms, including anyone at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport (T2) between 6.30am and 7.30am on Friday, September 12.
Passengers on board Virgin Australia flight VA572 from Perth to Sydney and VA505 from Sydney to the Gold Coast on Friday were also advised to stay vigilant.
The warning was extended to anyone at Tweed Valley Hospital Emergency Department from 9:30am to 11am on Saturday.
North Coast Public Health Director Dr Valerie Delpech said symptoms could take several weeks to present.
‘Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body,’ Dr Delpech said.
‘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 3 October 2025.
Health authorities have warned residents in parts of NSW to monitor for symptoms after a patient travelled from WA, where an outbreak is ongoing (stock)
Measles symptoms can take up to 18 days to appear, NSW Health warned
‘It’s important for people to stay vigilant if they’ve been exposed, and if they develop symptoms, to please call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.’
Health authorities in Queensland and Western Australia have recorded more severe outbreaks in recent weeks.
Cairns and surrounding areas of Far North Queensland have confirmed six cases of the infectious disease in the past three weeks , following exposure sites at busy locations.
These include hospitals, shopping centres, fast food outlets, restaurants, supermarkets, cafes and hostels across Cairns, Smithfield, Mareeba and Dimbulah.
The hospital has introduced the compulsory wearing of masks for visitors and staff in various wards until further notice, including intensive care, maternity, and the special care nursery, along with the cancer care ward and centre.
‘While masks are not required in other areas, we strongly encourage everyone attending Cairns Hospital or any of our health facilities to wear one,’ a statement read.
‘Measles is highly contagious and spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with droplets from the nose or mouth.’
The initial case was linked to backpacker hostels and traced to a patient who had recently arrived from Bali. The other five cases are believed to be locally acquired.
The infectious carrier is understood to have travelled to Sydney from Perth (stock)
On Saturday, WA health confirmed a further two cases in Perth, which are believed to be linked to travel from Bali. WA has so far recorded 35 measles cases this year.
NSW Health urged those who were experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, to call their GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age and anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t yet had two doses.
Children can have a dose from six months of age if they are travelling overseas but NSW Health said parents should consult their GP.
‘People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe,’ NSW Health added.
‘This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age).’
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