Measles alert for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas
Hunter New England Local Health District is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of three cases who were infectious while visiting several locations in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas.
One of the cases, who is unvaccinated, recently returned from Vietnam, where there is an ongoing large scale outbreak of measles. The cases are known to each other.
People who attended the following locations at the specified times should watch for the development of symptoms. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk.
- Charlestown soccer ground
o Saturday 1 March 2025, 2pm – 5pm
- Belmont Hospital Emergency Department
o Monday 10 March 2025, 10.30am – 8:30pm
o Sunday 23 March 2025, 11am – 6pm
- Go Vita Lake Haven shopping centre
o Sunday 2 March 2025, 11am – 2pm
o Sunday 16 March 2025, 10am – 4pm
- Go Vita Mount Hutton shopping centre
o Monday 17 March 2025, 11am – 5pm
Dr David Durrheim, Director of Public Health Hunter New England Local Health District, said anyone who visited the above locations at those times should monitor for symptoms.
“Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes,” Dr Durrheim said.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body.
“It can take up to 21 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it's important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms for three weeks after the dates listed.
“If they develop symptoms, they should call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.
“We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough.
“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment."
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn't already had two doses.
Children under the age of 12 months can have their first dose of MMR up to six months early if they are travelling overseas. Parents should consult their GP.
People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age).
For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet. If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
