In a follow-up on the measles cases reported in New South Wales, health officials reported an additional case in a returned traveller.

Image/MDH
Image/MDH

The woman was infectious on her flight from Singapore to Sydney SQ231 departing Singapore airport at 12:42 am on Tuesday 22 January and arriving at Sydney International Airport at 11:58 am on Tuesday 22 January.

Passengers on this flight and people in Sydney International Airport around lunchtime on this date, including baggage carousels, customs and the arrivals area are advised to watch for signs and symptoms of measles until 9 February. 

The woman developed a rash a few days after returning from the Philippines, where she is likely to have been infected.

She was briefly hospitalised due to her illness, but has since been discharged and is recovering. She was not infectious during her hospital stay.

This is the 12th measles case reported in New South Wales since Christmas.

“The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is safe and effective protection against measles. It is free for anyone born during or after 1966 who hasn’t already had two doses. If you’re unsure whether you’ve had two doses, it’s quite safe to have another,” said Director Communicable Diseases Branch Director, Dr Vicki Sheppeard.

Immunization is the best prevention for measles. The measles vaccine is very effective. One dose of the measles vaccine is about 93 percent effective at preventing measles. Two doses are about 97 percent effective, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.