Health officials have issued an urgent public health warning to dozens of Australian travellers following the confirmation of a measles case in a passenger who recently returned from Southeast Asia.
Exposure Sites: Flight, Airport, and Hospital
The infected individual travelled on Garuda Indonesia flight GA712 from Jakarta, which landed at Sydney International Airport at 10:45 am on December 27. The person remained in the airport's international arrivals hall until approximately midday.
Two days later, the same patient spent an extensive period in a busy hospital waiting room. They were present at Blacktown Hospital's emergency department in western Sydney from midday on December 29 until 6:00 am the following day – a total of 18 hours.
Vigilance Urged for Potential Symptoms
Authorities are urging anyone who was at these locations during the specified times to monitor themselves closely for signs of measles. Symptoms can take up to 18 days to appear, meaning people should remain vigilant until January 17.
Initial symptoms typically include:
- Fever
- Sore, red eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Runny nose
- Cough
These are usually followed three to four days later by a distinctive red, blotchy rash. The rash often begins on the face and head before spreading down the body.
"It's important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms until January 17," stated Dr Conrad Moreira, Acting Director of Public Health for the Western Sydney Local Health District.
Measles: Highly Contagious and Preventable
Measles is a serious, highly infectious viral illness. It spreads easily through the air via coughing and sneezing, or through direct contact with nasal or throat secretions.
Complications can be severe, including pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
The most effective protection is vaccination. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is free and available from GPs and participating pharmacies. Anyone born after 1965 who has not received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine is considered at risk.
"We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations," Dr Moreira emphasised. "This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious."
Vaccination can prevent the disease even after exposure if administered promptly. Those who have been fully vaccinated or have previously had measles are very unlikely to contract it.
Dr Moreira added a specific warning for travellers: "This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment." Recent outbreaks have been recorded in several Southeast Asian nations, including Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
