After visiting several spots in Sydney’s central business district and the surrounding suburbs, a tourist who contracted measles has placed the entire city on high alert.
At 11.45 a.m. on December 11, the European passenger boarded Flight JQ62 from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to Sydney.
After there, they spent five days using public transit to move around the city before isolating on December 16.
During that period, the individual visited supermarkets, movie theaters, and a medical clinic while traveling on seven buses and twice on the light rail.
It has been recommended that everyone who may have been in the same area as the tourist at any point during their trip keep an eye out for signs of the fatal infection.
Symptoms must be observed for 18 days following any potential exposure.
Sydney Local Health District clinical director of public health Dr Leena Gupta said people only need to be vigilant if they are in the same place at the same time.
‘While these locations pose no ongoing risk, if you, or someone you know, visited the above locations at those times you should monitor for symptoms,’ Dr Gupta said.
‘Symptoms to watch out for include fever, 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 look out for symptoms up until January 3, 2025.’
If symptoms develop in this time people are urged to contact their local GP or emergency department to seek treatment.
Those who think they are infected should call ahead before visiting the hospital, to limit further exposure of the virus.
Dr Gupta said the incident serves as an important reminder for people to stay up to date with their vaccines.
‘We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations, particularly before international travel,’ she said.
‘The measles vaccine can also prevent the disease even after exposure if given early enough. This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious.’
Every person born after 1965 should check that they have had two doses of the measles vaccine regardless of if they have been exposed, the doctor said.
