Measles alert issued for Sydney, fears it could strike residents over Christmas period

Sydneysiders have been told to watch out for measles symptoms until after Christmas with an infectious case active in the community over a nine day period.

The person, who had recently returned from South-East Asia where there are several ongoing outbreaks, visited several locations between Sydney’s north west and east.

NSW Health have confirmed they were infectious while out in the community.

People who visited the following locations on the dates and times listed are urged to watch for symptoms and seek medical advice if they occur.

Sydney Metro and T4 Train Lines: Macquarie University to Edgecliff Station via Martin Place Station

• Wednesday 3 December: Train departing at approximately 2:00pm
• Thursday 4 December: Train departing at approximately 10:00am
• Friday 5 December: Train departing at approximately 8:00am
• Saturday 6 December: Train departing at approximately 10:00am

T4 Train and Sydney Metro Lines: Edgecliff Station to Macquarie University Station Via Martin Place

• Wednesday 3 December: Train departing at approximately 10:30pm
• Thursday 4 December: Train departing at approximately 11:00pm
• Friday 5 December: Train departing at approximately 4:00pm
• Saturday 6 December: Train departing at approximately 2:40pm

Gran Torino Restaurant (24 Bay St, Double Bay)

• Wednesday 3 December: From 2:55pm to 10:45pm
• Thursday 4 December: From 10:55am to 11:10pm
• Friday 5 December: From 9:00am to 4:30pm
• Saturday 6 December: From 11:00am to 3:00pm

Macquarie Centre Food Court (Waterloo Rd, Macquarie Park)

• Saturday 6 December: From 3:40pm to 4:30pm

WiSE Specialist Emergency Clinic (11 Khartoum Rd, Macquarie Park)

• Sunday 7 December: From 5:00pm to 7:15pm
• Tuesday 9 December: From 10:15pm to 10:50pm

Anyone who visited any of the above sites on the dates and times listed are urged to watch for symptoms until December 27.

There is no ongoing risk of measles at any of these locations.

Speaking to NewsWire, Gran Torino Restaurant confirmed the infectious person was an employee.

A spokesperson said that they weren’t made aware of the workers measles status until late on Thursday and are remaining open on Friday.

Those who contract measles may take 18 days to show symptoms, meaning that many people who visited those locations will have to monitor for symptoms until after Christmas.

Symptoms initially include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three to four days later by a red, blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body.

Anyone with symptoms is urged to contact their doctor or health service ahead of time to let them know they may have contracted measles in order to stop the risk of further spread.

NSW Health is urging anyone born after 1965 who has not received both doses of the free measles vaccine to do so, or to get another shot if they are unsure if they’ve had two.