NSW Health has issued a measles alert for residents of northern Sydney after confirming a case of the disease in a traveler recently returned from Indonesia. The individual was infectious while visiting several locations in the area, prompting health officials to urge vigilance for symptoms among those who may have been exposed.
The case was identified as a contact of a measles patient on their return flight to Australia, heightening concerns about potential spread. The alert specifically targets individuals who visited certain locations in northern Sydney over the past week.
Locations and Dates of Potential Exposure
Health authorities have listed several locations where the infected individual was present:
- Saturday, 27 December 2025: Train from Thornleigh Station to Epping Station, bus from Epping Station to Macquarie Centre at approximately 11am. Macquarie Centre from 12pm to 7pm, including Mitzu Restaurant from 1pm to 2.20pm, children’s play area from 2.20pm to 4pm, and F&L Gourmet Restaurant from 5pm to 7pm.
- Sunday, 28 December 2025: Storey Park playground, Asquith, from 12.30pm to 2pm.
- Tuesday, 30 December 2025: Waitara Oval from 1pm to 1:30pm, Jamie’s Kitchen and children’s play area, Waitara PCYC, from 1.30pm to 3pm, Aldi Supermarket, Westfield Shopping Centre, Hornsby from 2.45pm to 4.15pm.
- Wednesday, 31 December 2025: Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Hospital Emergency Department, various times from 5.15pm to 8pm.
The full list of locations and times is available on the NSW Health website. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk, but individuals who were present should be vigilant for symptoms.
Symptoms and Health Advice
Dr. Sean Tobin, Acting Director of Public Health for the Northern Sydney Local Health District, advises anyone who visited these locations to monitor for symptoms of measles. These include fever, sore eyes, runny nose, and a cough, typically followed by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body three to four days later.
“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms until 18 January 2026,” Dr. Tobin said.
Measles is a highly infectious disease spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. Dr. Tobin emphasizes the importance of vaccination, noting that the measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure if administered promptly.
Vaccination and Prevention
Measles is preventable through vaccination, and NSW Health is reminding the community to ensure their vaccinations are up to date. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is both safe and effective, provided free for children at 12 and 18 months of age, and available for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t received two doses.
“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment,” Dr. Tobin added.
Parents of children under 12 months planning to travel overseas should consult their GP about early vaccination. For those unsure of their vaccination status, additional doses are safe and recommended, particularly before international travel. The MMR vaccine is accessible from GPs and pharmacies for those over five years of age.
Looking Ahead
This alert underscores the ongoing risk of measles outbreaks, particularly in areas with international travel connections. NSW Health continues to monitor the situation closely and urges the public to remain informed through official health channels.
For more information on measles, individuals are encouraged to view the measles factsheet. Those experiencing symptoms or with questions should contact their GP or healthdirect at 1800 022 222.
