NSW Health is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a person who was infectious on flights from Dubai to Sydney Airport International Terminal, and from Sydney Domestic T3 to Adelaide on Tuesday 11 June.
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit Acting Director, Dr Anthea Katelaris, said people who were on the flights below, or transiting between the terminals at these times should be on the lookout for symptoms.
- Emirates flight EK416. Departed Dubai on Monday 10 June 2024 at 9:37pm and arrived at Sydney International Terminal on Tuesday 11 June 2024 at 4:57pm.
- Qantas flight QF749. Departed Sydney Domestic T3 (Qantas) at 8:51pm on Tuesday 11 June and arrived in Adelaide at 10:45pm.
- Sydney International Terminal arrivals (including baggage collection and transfer bus) from approximately 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday 11 June.
- Sydney Domestic Terminal 3 departures from approximately 6pm to 8:51pm on Tuesday 11 June.
“While these locations pose no ongoing risk, if you, or someone you know, visited the above locations at those times it is important to be on the lookout for symptoms,” Dr Katelaris said.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.
“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to stay alert for symptoms until Saturday 29 June 2024.
“Anyone who develops symptoms should call ahead to their GP or emergency department and say that they may have measles to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.
“This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious.
“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important to check before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.”
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective, and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses.
Babies can have their first dose of MMR as early as 6 months of age if they are travelling overseas to areas with a high risk of measles. Parents should consult their GP to access early measles vaccine before overseas travel.
People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get another vaccine to ensure they are protected, as extra doses are safe. This is particularly important before overseas travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age).
For more information on measles, view the measles fact sheet.
