NSW Health warns travellers on international flight to Sydney as new measles case surfaces

Passengers are being warned about a confirmed measles case in a fellow traveller on an international flight to Australia earlier this week.

The passenger was infectious during flight QF128 from Hong Kong to Sydney which landed on Monday, October 2 at 7am.

The adult traveller had contracted the disease while travelling in Africa, according to NSW Health.

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Anyone who was on the flight or inside Sydney Airport’s International Arrivals terminal on the morning of October 2 has been urged to monitor for symptoms.

Northern Sydney Public Health Unit associate director Dr Sean Tobin said the locations do not pose an ongoing risk but people who may have been in contact with the infected individual should monitor for symptoms until October 20.

Measles is highly contagious and is spread in the air through coughing or sneezing.

Symptoms include fever, sore eyes, and a cough which is then followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy, non-itchy, rash.

This rash spreads from the head and neck to the rest of the body.

Tobin said it can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after being exposed.

“It is really important to stay vigilant if you’ve been exposed and, if you develop symptoms, please call ahead to your GP or emergency department to ensure you do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients,” he said.

Babies younger than a year old are among those most likely to contract the disease as they are too young to be vaccinated against it, Tobin said.

People with a weakened immune system are also more susceptible.

NSW Health said given the increased travel associated with the recent school holidays “it would not be unexpected to see further measles cases in NSW”.

The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is free in NSW for anyone born during or after 1966 who hasn’t already had two doses.

More information can be found on the NSW Health website.