If you've dined out in Sydney's CBD or Inner West in the past couple of weeks, or caught a flight to Melbourne recently, this is worth your attention. Sydney's measles outbreak is continuing to grow, with NSW Health confirming two additional cases and a fresh set of exposure sites spanning the city and parts of regional New South Wales.
The total case count in NSW has now reached 21 since the start of the year. One of the newly confirmed cases was acquired at a known exposure site within Sydney, while the other was linked to recent travel through South East Asia, where measles outbreaks are ongoing across multiple countries.
Eight new exposure sites have been confirmed, covering visits between Wednesday, 18 February and Saturday, 21 February. Anyone who attended these locations during the specified times may need to monitor for symptoms until as late as 11 March. Two of the higher-profile sites are Rivaereno Gelato in Barangaroo, between 7.40pm and 8.30pm on Thursday, 19 February, and The Stinking Bishops Restaurant and Deli in Newtown, between 7pm and 9pm on Friday, 20 February. Additional sites have been flagged in Lismore in the state's north, as well as several locations across Western Sydney.
Here's what you need to know about the symptoms: measles typically begins with fever, a runny nose, and a cough. A distinctive red, blotchy rash appears three to four days after those initial symptoms. The tricky part is that symptoms can take up to 18 days to show after exposure, which means people may unknowingly carry and spread the virus during that window.
Two flights have also been flagged. One arrived in Sydney from Indonesia, and the other was a Jetstar service departing Sydney for Melbourne. Passengers on both flights are being asked to monitor closely for any symptoms during the relevant incubation period.
NSW Health Director of Communicable Diseases, Dr Christine Selvey, is urging all NSW residents to check their vaccination status. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is free for anyone born after 1965 who has not had the recommended two doses. Dr Selvey was particularly pointed in her advice to travellers: with outbreaks currently active in several regions globally, getting vaccinated before heading overseas is, in her words, "especially important."
Your rights here are actually stronger than you think when it comes to accessing free vaccinations. The MMR vaccine is available through GPs and many local health services at no cost for eligible Australians, and checking your immunisation history is straightforward via the Australian Immunisation Register through myGov. If you're unsure whether you've had two doses, it's worth confirming before your next trip or before spending time in crowded public spaces.
Measles is not a disease to take lightly. It is among the most contagious viruses known, capable of remaining airborne in a room for up to two hours after an infected person has left. Complications can include pneumonia and, in rare cases, inflammation of the brain. The World Health Organization considers it one of the leading vaccine-preventable causes of childhood death globally, though adults who are unvaccinated remain vulnerable too.
For a full and regularly updated list of current exposure sites across NSW, visit the NSW Health measles exposure locations page. If you develop symptoms consistent with measles, health authorities ask that you call ahead before visiting a GP or hospital to avoid potentially exposing others in waiting areas.