Sydney’s measles outbreak continues to grow, with health authorities confirming two additional cases of the highly infectious disease. One of the new cases was linked to an existing exposure site in the city, prompting NSW Health to urge the public to watch for symptoms.
The second case involved a person who had recently returned from South East Asia, where several countries are experiencing ongoing measles outbreaks. Since January 1, a total of 21 measles cases have been confirmed across New South Wales.
New exposure warnings cover the period from Wednesday, February 18, to Saturday, February 21. People who visited affected locations during that time may need to monitor for symptoms until March 11.
Eight additional exposure sites have been identified, including venues in Sydney’s CBD and Inner West. These include RivaReno Gelato – Barangaroo on Thursday, February 19, and The Stinking Bishops Restaurant & Deli on Friday, February 20.
Exposure sites have also been declared in Lismore in northern NSW, along with several existing locations in Western Sydney. Alerts were also issued for two flights connected to Sydney Airport — one arriving from Indonesia and a Jetstar Airways flight departing for Melbourne.
Measles symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and a red, blotchy rash that typically appears three to four days later. Symptoms can take up to 18 days to develop.
Christine Selvey, Director of Communicable Diseases at NSW Health, urged residents to ensure their vaccinations are up to date. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is available free of charge for anyone born after 1965 who has not received the recommended two doses.
Health authorities stressed that vaccination is particularly important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are currently occurring in several regions worldwide. A full list of exposure sites is available on the NSW Health website.
