NSW Health is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of an adult from Victoria who was infectious with measles on flights to and from Sydney Domestic Airport and while visiting Sydney’s CBD.
Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director of the Public Health Unit at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, said there was no ongoing risk to the public, but said it was important those who attended several locations should be on the lookout for symptoms.
Dr Sheppeard said if you, or someone you know, were on the below flights or visited the below locations at the same time you may have been exposed to the virus and should monitor for symptoms:
- Virgin flight VA815, departing Melbourne at 7:25am on Tuesday 27 February 2024 and arriving in Sydney at 8:53am
- Sydney Domestic Airport Terminal 2 Arrivals between 8:53am and 9:30am
- Domestic Airport Station from 9am to 9:30am
- T8 line 9:09am train from Domestic Airport Station to Central Station
- T4 line 9:23am train from Central arriving at Martin Place at 09:30am
- Martin Place Station from 9:30am to 10am
- Toby’s Estate, 25 Martin Place (previously the MLC Centre) between 10am and 11:50am
- Gateway Building, Alfred Street, Circular Quay between 11:45am and 4:30pm including the Food Court from 1:30pm to 2:15pm
- Deutsche Bank Place, 126 Phillip Street, ground floor atrium from 4pm – 5pm
- Mordeo Bistro & Bar, 126 Phillip Street from 4:30 – 5:30pm
- St James Station between 5pm and 5:30pm
- T8 line 5:07pm train from St James Station to Sydney Domestic Airport, Mascot
- Sydney Domestic Airport Terminal 3 Departures, including food court, from 5:30pm to 7pm
- Qantas flight QF483, departing Sydney at 6:40pm and arriving in Melbourne at 8:20pm.
For information on further public exposure sites in Victoria please visit the Victoria Health website.
“Symptoms of measles 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 to the rest of the body,” Dr Sheppeard said.
“Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air and infect others up to half an hour after the infectious person leaves a room.
“Symptoms may appear between 7 and 18 days after an exposure, so it’s important for people to stay vigilant if they’ve been exposed, and if they develop symptoms, to please call ahead to their GP or emergency department 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 very infectious.
“Anyone born during or after 1966 needs to ensure they have received two doses of measles vaccine, this is particularly important prior to overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment,” Dr Sheppeard said.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective protection against measles and is included on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born during or after 1966 who hasn’t already had two doses.
Children aged 6 to 12 months can have their MMR vaccine schedule adjusted to receive their first dose earlier if they are travelling to areas considered high risk for measles following consultation with their GP.
People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to 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 factsheet.
If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
