Travellers warned over infectious disease as case passes through Sydney airport

Health authorities are warning of an infectious measles case on a flight from the US to Sydney and then another flight onto the Gold Coast.

The traveller flew from Honolulu to Sydney, arriving at 4.30pm on January 17. They were on a bus from the international to domestic airport, and then left Sydney for Queensland at 9pm January 17.

NSW Health director of the communicable diseases branch, Christine Selvey, said while these locations pose no ongoing risks, people who were on the flights or transiting between the terminals at those times should be on the lookout for symptoms.

“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,” Dr Selvey said.

Measles is very contagious, however most Australians are vaccinated. There are currently outbreaks in numerous countries, including in the UK, Thailand and Vietnam.

This week, NSW Health announced a woman in western Sydney had contracted measles after travelling from Vietnam.

Measles can cause a cough, rashes, and if left untreated can lead to pneumonia, ear infections and brain swelling.

Symptoms can take 18 days to appear. NSW Health is warning anyone on the flights or in the airport at the same times as the travellers to be alert for symptoms.

“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine,” Dr Selvey said.

“This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.”

The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is safe and effective, and is given free to children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses.