Measles Alert Issued in Sydney After Infected Individual Visits Public Locations
Health authorities are urging vigilance for symptoms among those who visited specific sites in Campbelltown and Narellan between September 23 and 28.
New South Wales (NSW) Health has issued a public warning for measles in Sydney after an individual diagnosed with the highly contagious disease visited several public locations while infectious. The exposure period occurred between September 23 and September 28.
The infected person contracted the virus during travel in South-East Asia, where an ongoing measles outbreak is being monitored.
Key exposure sites identified by NSW Health include a coffee shop, a nail salon, a hairdresser, and a Kmart in Narellan. Additionally, the individual visited Concord Oval Recreation Centre in Concord and Wanderers Football Park in Rooty Hill during the specified dates. Health officials have stated that these locations no longer pose an ongoing risk to the public.
Measles is characterized by symptoms such as fever, sore eyes, a runny nose, and a cough, often followed by a red, blotchy rash that begins on the face and spreads across the body. NSW Health advises anyone who visited the listed locations during the exposure dates and develops symptoms to consult a doctor or health service immediately. They recommend calling ahead to inform healthcare providers of potential measles exposure to prevent transmission in waiting rooms.
Since January 1, 2026, there have been 56 confirmed cases of measles in NSW. Research from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) indicates that approximately 1.7 million Australians may not be adequately protected against measles, increasing the risk of further outbreaks.
An NCIRS analysis from 2019 revealed that nearly seven percent of the Australian population was not sufficiently immunized against the disease.