Measles Health Alert Issued in Sydney Following Confirmed Case
Health Alert in Sydney
Sydney, June 20: A health warning regarding measles has been announced in Sydney after a confirmed case was reported at the city's international airport while the individual was infectious.
The New South Wales (NSW) health department disclosed on Friday that the confirmed case arrived in Sydney from Southeast Asia, where several countries are currently experiencing measles outbreaks, on Monday.
Individuals who were passengers on Vietnam Airlines flight VN773 that landed at Sydney International Airport on Monday, or those present in the arrivals and baggage claim areas between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. that day, are urged to keep an eye out for measles symptoms.
Mitchell Smith, acting director of Public Health for the South Western Sydney Local Health District, indicated that initial symptoms may include fever, sore eyes, runny nose, and cough, followed by a rash that typically spreads from the face to the rest of the body days later.
He emphasized the importance of monitoring for symptoms for a period of 18 days for anyone who was on the flight or in the specified airport areas, as reported by a news agency.
Data from the federal government's National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System reveals that Australia has recorded 80 confirmed measles cases in 2025, a significant increase from 57 cases in all of 2024 and 26 in 2023.
The World Health Organization classifies measles as a highly contagious viral disease. It spreads easily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or breathes. The disease can lead to severe complications and even fatalities.
While measles can affect anyone, it is particularly prevalent among children.
The virus primarily targets the respiratory system and can lead to symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, and a widespread rash.
Vaccination remains the most effective method to prevent measles infection and its transmission. The vaccine is safe and enhances the body's ability to combat the virus.
Before the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, major outbreaks occurred every two to three years, resulting in approximately 2.6 million deaths annually.
In 2023, an estimated 107,500 individuals, mostly children under five, succumbed to measles, despite the availability of a safe and affordable vaccine.