Bold opener: Measles is spreading in our community, and you deserve a clear, practical guide to stay safe and informed.
NSW Health has issued a Western Sydney alert after confirming a measles case. The infected individual had no known contact with another case and did not visit any identified exposure sites in Sydney. Because the source remains unknown, it's possible measles is circulating more broadly in the community, which means others could have been exposed without realizing it. The person visited several Western Sydney locations while infectious, including healthcare facilities.
A full list of exposure locations and times is published on the NSW Health website and gets updated regularly: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/measles/Pages/public-exposure-locations.aspx. If you were at any listed location during the specified times, monitor for symptoms and note that these locations do not pose an ongoing risk after the exposure window.
If you are within six days of exposure and you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system, or have an infant who was exposed, contact your GP. They can reach your local Public Health Unit at 1300 066 055 for guidance.
There are 23 confirmed measles cases in NSW since January 1, 2026, indicating an elevated regional risk.
Dr. Conrad Moreira, Public Health Physician for Western Sydney Local Health District, urges vigilance for symptoms, especially if you visited any exposure locations at the times listed. If symptoms appear, seek care promptly and inform the clinician about possible measles exposure to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms.
Typical symptoms to watch for include fever, red eyes, runny nose, and a cough. A few days later, a red blotchy rash usually appears and then spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body. If you develop a rash after early symptoms, consider measles—even if you didn’t attend a listed exposure site—and seek testing.
Symptom onset after exposure can take up to 18 days, so monitor for the entire window.
Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Vaccination is the best protection. If you’re not up to date with your measles vaccines, now is a good time to catch up. In particular, people born after 1965 should have two doses of the measles vaccine. This is especially important before international travel, as outbreaks are occurring in several regions globally.
The measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe, effective, and free for children at 12 and 18 months in NSW. It is also available free of charge for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t completed two doses. For children under 12 months who are traveling overseas, an early dose of MMR may be given from six months of age; parents should discuss this with their GP.
If you’re unsure whether you’ve had two doses, getting vaccinated is safe and recommended, particularly before travel. MMR is available from GPs for all ages and from pharmacies for those over five. For travel-related health risks, visit the Australian Government Smart Traveller website.
If you or a loved one have measles symptoms or questions, contact your GP or Healthdirect at 1800 022 222.
Stay informed, stay vaccinated, and practice good respiratory hygiene to protect yourself and others.
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