Sydney airport, hospital, and Qantas flight on alert as NSW records third measles case
Sydney Airport’s domestic arrivals lounge and interstate flight have been added to the list of locations potentially exposed to measles as NSW records its third case.
Visitors arriving at the Qantas arrivals lounge at Terminal 3 between 10.30pm and 11pm on 29 December, as well as passengers on flight QF748 from Adelaide to Sydney, were asked to monitor for symptoms of the potentially fatal disease.
Anyone who applied to the Concord Repatriation General Hospital Emergency Department between 13.00 and 16.10 on January 3 was also asked to be alert.
It comes after a third case of measles was reported in travelers who returned to Sydney last week after visiting Southeast Asian countries where authorities are dealing with ongoing measles outbreaks.
More than 50 additional sites have already been identified by NSW Health, including restaurants, train services, Woolworths in Sydney’s east and north, multiple hospitals, Sydney Airport’s international arrivals terminal and a children’s play area.
Potential exposure sites range from December 3 to January 3.
Visitors to the domestic arrivals hall and Qantas aircraft were asked to monitor for symptoms until January 16; Those who visited Concord Hospital during the exposure period were asked to remain vigilant until January 21.
Health officials say there remains no risk of exposure in any area.
Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease that can be spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms usually appear within 10 days after exposure and typically present flu-like at first, including fatigue, fever, cough, runny nose, and sore, red eyes.
A rash may appear within a few days.
One-third of infected people develop complications and may require hospitalization, including ear infections, diarrhea and pneumonia.
In some cases, measles can lead to serious illness and even death.
Western Sydney Local Health District Acting Director of Public Health Dr Conrad Moreira said the recent rise in cases was a reminder to ensure residents were protected.
“The measles vaccine, if given early enough, can prevent disease even after exposure,” he said.
“This should be a reminder that everyone should check they are protected against measles, which is highly contagious.
“Everyone born after 1965 needs to make sure they have two doses of measles vaccine.
“This is especially important before traveling abroad, as measles outbreaks are currently occurring in various parts of the world.”
Children under six months of age can also receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine if they travel abroad, but it is also safe for children between 12 and 18 months.
It’s also free for anyone in NSW born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses of the vaccine.
Currently Indonesia (including Bali), Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. There are measles outbreaks in popular destinations for Australian tourists.
