NSW Health has advised people to be alert for signs and symptoms of a deadly disease after an infectious international traveller arrived at Sydney Airport.
Health officials have issued a public warning for measles in Sydney.
It follows a woman contracting the disease in Western Sydney.
It is believed she picked up the case from an infant who was diagnosed earlier this month.
Multiple exposure sites have been flagged across Sydney including Westpoint Blacktown.
Authorities are advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms, but say there is no ongoing risk to the public.
The traveller departed Dubai on June 10 and touched down at Sydney International Terminal on June 11 on Emirates flight EK416.
They then flew to Adelaide in the evening on Qantas flight QF749 from Sydney Domestic Terminal 3.
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit Acting Director Dr Anthea Katelaris urged people who were on the flights, or were transiting between the terminals, to be vigilant for symptoms.
The infectious traveller departed Dubai on June 10 and arrived at Sydney International Terminal on June 11. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard
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“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.”
Dr Katelaris said anyone who develops symptoms should call their doctor or emergency department and make it clear they have measles to ensure they do not pass it on to other patients in the waiting room.
“This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious,” she said.
Dr Katelaris explained people born after 1965 need to ensure they have two doses of the 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,” she said.
The measles-mumps-ribella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective and free for children between 12 and 18 months old.
NSW Health has advised for people to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of measles. Picture: Getty Images/ Romolo Tavani
The MMR shot is free in NSW for anyone born after 1965.
Babies can have their first dose of MMR from six months of age if they are travelling overseas to high risk areas.
Parents should consider speaking to their doctor for early access of the measles vaccine before going abroad.
For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet