A measles alert has been issued for Sydney following a confirmed case of infection from an individual who recently arrived from Vietnam. The patient flew into Sydney Airport on March 9 via a Jetstar flight from Ho Chi Minh City. NSW Health officials are advising the local population to remain vigilant for any signs and symptoms of measles as Vietnam is currently experiencing a significant outbreak, with nearly 40,000 suspected cases and five related fatalities reported this year.
The individual in question departed Ho Chi Minh City at 10:40 PM and arrived in Sydney at 11:00 AM, remaining in the airport until 1:00 PM. During this time, they visited the arrivals terminal and baggage claim area. Subsequently, they frequented 169 Cafe in Randwick from 1:30 PM to 2:05 PM, and later, Ooshman Maroubra between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM. Furthermore, on March 13, the infectious individual spent time at Matraville Medical Complex and Healthsave Pharmacy in the following timeframes: 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 1:35 PM, respectively. The case returned to Matraville Medical Complex on March 15 between 9:50 AM and 10:50 AM and spent three hours at the Prince of Wales Hospital Emergency Room.
Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director of Public Health for the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, has urged anyone who was at these venues during the noted times to watch for symptoms indicative of measles. She mentioned that measles is a vaccine-preventable illness that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Common symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore eyes, and cough, typically followed by a red, blotchy rash that appears three to four days later. Symptoms can take up to 18 days to manifest after exposure, leading health officials to recommend that those who visited the identified locations remain alert for symptoms until April 2, 2025.
If individuals develop signs of measles, they should contact their general practitioner or emergency department beforehand to prevent potential exposure to other patients in waiting areas. Health authorities reported that the airport poses no ongoing risk for measles transmission.