Sydneysiders warned after overseas passenger brings measles into city

Detailed summary

A traveller who unknowingly carried measles through Bangkok, into Sydney Airport, and into a hospital emergency department has sparked a public health alert across the city.

Health authorities are urging Sydneysiders to be on alert for any symptoms of measles after a traveller with a confirmed case of the highly contagious disease flew into the country.

NSW Health issued the alert after the traveller from South Asia flew into Sydney International Airport on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok on November 7.

The person visited several locations across Sydney before they realised they were infectious, including the emergency department at Canterbury Hospital in Campsie.

Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit Acting Director, Isabel Hess, said people should monitor for symptoms of measles, particularly if they have visited any of the exposure locations at the listed time.

“Call ahead to let them know that you may have come into contact with measles so you don’t spend time in waiting rooms with other patients.

“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose 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.”

Originally published as Sydneysiders warned after overseas passenger brings measles into city

Opening of the article, excerpted from PerthNow. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.