A new measles case has been identified in Sydney, prompting warnings for passengers on a busy domestic flight to monitor for symptoms.
NSW Health reported that passengers on Qantas flight QF748 from Adelaide to Sydney on December 29 should be alert, following confirmation that a third person returning from Southeast Asia contracted the disease. The flight arrived in Sydney at 10:30 p.m., and people present in the domestic arrivals hall at Sydney Airport’s Terminal 3 around 11:00 p.m. are also advised to watch for symptoms.
The infected individual was confirmed to have visited the Concord Repatriation General Hospital Emergency Department from 1:00 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. on Saturday. Passengers on the flight are asked to monitor for symptoms until January 16, while those who were at the hospital during that time should continue monitoring until January 21.
Dr. Conrad Moreira explained that symptoms include fever, sore eyes, runny nose, and cough, usually followed three to four days later by a red, blotchy rash spreading from the head and face to the rest of the body. He added that symptoms can appear up to 18 days after exposure.
Australia is experiencing a rise in measles cases, particularly among travellers returning from overseas. Dr. Moreira urged Australians to receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is free for children aged 12–18 months and for anyone over 65 in New South Wales.
“The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if administered early enough,” he said.
