Urgent health warning after confirmed case of highly infectious disease is detected in Sydney

By MAX ALDRED, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

New South Wales Health has issued an urgent warning following a confirmed case of the highly infectious measles disease in Greater Western Sydney.

A Sydneysider recently returned from Vietnam, currently experiencing a widespread measles outbreak, and attended Family Doctors Berala last Saturday with the virus between 10am and 11.15am.

The state's health body has advised those in the western Sydney area to remain alert to any signs or symptoms of measles.

South Western Sydney Local Health District Director of Public Health, Dr Mitchell Smith, said while the clinic poses no ongoing risk, people who visited on Saturday morning should monitor for symptoms.

'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 starts on the head and face, then spreads to the rest of the body,' Dr Smith said.

'It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after being exposed, so it's important for people who visited this site at that time to look out for symptoms up until Wednesday 5 February.

'If you experience symptoms please call ahead before visiting your doctor.'

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases.

A measles patient, recently returned from Vietnam, attended Berala Family Doctors on Saturday, in Sydney's west

A measles patient, recently returned from Vietnam, attended Berala Family Doctors on Saturday, in Sydney's west

The state's health body has warned residents to ensure their measles vaccinations are up to date

The state's health body has warned residents to ensure their measles vaccinations are up to date

Coughs, breaths, and sneezes from an infected person can be enough to spread the virus.

Dr Smith said Australians should ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations in light of the case.

'Anyone born after 1965 needs to make sure they have had two doses of measles vaccine,' he said.

'This is especially important before overseas travel. Measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.'

On Monday, Vietnam's Ministry of Health reported more than 20,000 suspected measles cases in 2024.

There have been at least 13 confirmed deaths as a result of the outbreak.

Government bodies warned Australians travelling to any country overseas to remain vigilant in the face of the outbreak.

Last week, a child returned from Vietnam to South Australia and visited several medical centres and shopping centres.

The child carried the state's first measles case for the year, with just six cases of measles reported in South Australia last year.

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