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Two more measles cases in Sydney
NSW Health has issued another alert as two unvaccinated children have been diagnosed with measles after returning from a trip to Sri Lanka.
The infected children arrived at the Sydney International Airport at 7.40 am on Friday 11 January. (Image: Brendan Esposito)
The unvaccinated siblings from Northern Sydney developed symptoms during a scheduled stopover in Singapore, but were not diagnosed until they returned to Sydney, according to NSW Health.
The children, whose ages have not been disclosed, were flying on Singapore Airlines Flight SQ 221 departing Singapore 8.40 pm and arriving Sydney International Airport 7.40 am Friday 11 January. They visited a number of locations while infectious:
- ​Friday 11 January
- Sydney International Airport, including baggage carousels, customs, and arrivals area
- Sydney International Airport Train Station, train to Meadowbank (via Central Station), arriving at Meadowbank at 9.30 am
- Sunday 13 January
- Ryde Hospital Emergency Department, 7.40–9.10 am
- Monday 14 January
- Carlingford Epping Surgery General Practice, 9.30–10.30 am
- Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, 10.30–11.00 am
- Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, 10.50–11.20 am
‘If you develop symptoms please call ahead to your GP so that you do not wait in the waiting room with other patients,’ Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director of NSW Health’s Communicable Diseases Branch,
said.
This latest news bring the number of confirmed measles cases in Sydney to eight since Christmas, and follows
Monday’s alert for Melbourne after a man who visited Box Hill Hospital last week was diagnosed with measles.
Health authorities are urging people to ensure they are up-to-date with their measles vaccinations, and to discuss any travel plans with their GP in order to ensure they are protected in the event they are visiting to places where measles remains prevalent.
‘While measles is rare in Australia, it remains endemic in many countries, including most of southern and south-east Asia, and large outbreaks are currently occurring in Europe, the United States, and parts of South America,’ NSW Health said.
‘People travelling with children under the age of 12 months should discuss travel plans with their doctor, as the first dose of the vaccine can be given as early as nine months of age, if the child is travelling to an area where measles is endemic, or outbreaks are occurring.’
health alert measles New South Wales Sydney
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