Urgent health warning after a tourist infected with measles flies into Australia from Africa
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An urgent warning is in place after a confirmed case of measles on an international flight.
The infected passenger arrived in Sydney at 7am on Monday, October 2.
It is believed the adult passenger contracted the infection while traveling in Africa.
Anyone on flight QF128 from Hong Kong to Sydney or who was in the international arrivals area of Terminal 1 on Monday morning should monitor for symptoms, NSW Health says.
Measles can lead to a nasty rash and people who become infected with it often end up in hospital. Image: supplied
Symptoms include fever, sore eyes and coughing, followed by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and neck to the rest of the body.
Young children and infants can also develop diarrhea.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can spread through coughing and sneezing.
Due to high vaccination rates, the disease is now rare in Australia, but can cause serious illness and as many as one in three people with measles end up in hospital.
The aircraft and terminal do not pose an ongoing risk, but anyone susceptible to measles who was on the flight or in the terminal at the time should be on the lookout for symptoms until Wednesday, October 20.
‘Those most likely to be susceptible to measles are infants under 12 months of age who are too young to be vaccinated, anyone who has not been fully vaccinated against the disease, which may include some adults; and people with weakened immune systems,” Northern Sydney Public Health Unit deputy director Sean Tobin said.
People who are unsure if they have been fully vaccinated should consult their GP and get an extra shot, as extra doses are safe, NSW Health said.
Measles virus infection, illustration
Symptoms generally begin about 10 days after exposure, but can take up to 18 days to appear.
“Stay vigilant,” Dr. Tobin warned.
‘If you develop symptoms, contact your GP or the emergency department in advance so that you do not spend time with other patients in the waiting room.’
With a recent increase in international travel due to school holidays, the number of measles cases in the country is only expected to increase.
A travel warning was issued in August after a tourist brought it back from Bali, while South Australia recorded its first case since 2019 in March after a three-year-old boy contracted the infection abroad.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of measles or who has any questions about measles is urged to contact their GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.