Queensland health authorities have confirmed a second case of measles in Cairns and are urging travellers to Bali to get vaccinated before departure.
The latest patient is a close contact of a person diagnosed with measles last week after returning from Bali. Cairns Public Health Unit director Dr. Jacqueline Murdoch said there are ongoing measles outbreaks across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
“If anyone is travelling to these countries during the school holidays or in the coming months, please see your GP and ensure you have sufficient immunity to measles. We don’t want anyone bringing measles back to Cairns and spreading it in our community,” she said.
Authorities have asked the public to remain vigilant for symptoms, particularly if they visited the following locations at the listed times:
- Mad Monkeys Waterfront Backpackers: Saturday, Sept. 6 – Wednesday, Sept. 10
- Rufus Restaurant: Saturday, Sept. 6 (3:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.)
- Cairns GP Superclinic: Wednesday, Sept. 10 (11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Dr. Murdoch confirmed the latest case was an unvaccinated close contact of the first patient and warned of possible further cases. She estimated that “a couple of hundred” people may have been exposed.
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses, spread through coughing, sneezing, or contact with nasal and mouth secretions. Symptoms usually begin with fever, tiredness, and flu-like signs before progressing to a rash.
The illness typically appears 7–10 days after exposure, but symptoms may take up to three weeks to develop. Those most at risk include people with weakened immune systems, individuals born after 1966 who have not received two doses of the vaccine, and those who have never had measles.
Vaccination is the best protection. Babies are immunised at 12 months under the National Immunisation Program, and people who have received two doses of the vaccine or previously contracted measles are considered highly protected.
