Locals are being told to be mindful of flu-like symptoms after a case of measles was reported in the City.
A person visited Cairns over the Australia Day long weekend.
Tropical Public Health Services Cairns has issued a measles alert for people who visited the following locations at the following times. These locations pose no ongoing risk, but people who were at these locations at these times should be on the lookout for measles symptoms.
Friday 24 January 2025
- Flight Darwin to Cairns. Flight number – TL160 (Air North) – 7.30am – 11.30am
- Cairns Airport Domestic Terminal Arrivals 11.30am – 12.00pm
- Multiple venues including The Woolshed Cairns, Dirty Laundry, Gilligan’s 7.30pm – 2.00am
Saturday 25 January
- Southside Paintball, Gordonvale 11.40am – 2.30pm
- Multiple venues including The Woolshed Cairns, Dirty Laundry, Gilligan’s 7.30pm – 3am
Sunday 26 January
- Cairns Kart Hire, Smithfield 10.40am -12.10pm
- Salthouse Cairns 7.00pm – 9.00pm
- Pier Bar 9.00pm – 10.00pm
Monday 27 January
- Cairns Domestic Airport check in/departures 11.30am – 12.30pm
- Flight Cairns to Darwin Flight TL161 Air North, 1.00pm – 4.30pm
Measles usually starts as a flu-like illness lasting for between 2 and 4 days with symptoms that include:
- fever
- tiredness
- blotchy rash that spreads from head/face to rest of body
- severe cough
- red/sore eyes
- runny nose
- white spots in the mouth
Although the most well-known symptom of measles is a blotchy red rash, this is not usually the first symptom.
The symptoms usually start around 10 days after exposure to measles but can occur between 7 and 18 days after contact. If people were in these areas at these times, they should look out for symptoms up until 14 February.
If people develop symptoms, they should call ahead to your GP or emergency department. They should not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.
Tropical Public Health Medical Officer Dr Annie Preston-Thomas, said this should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles.
“Please consider seeing a GP to be immunised for measles, if you are not already immune to measles. The vaccine is free for Australian residents.
“The measles vaccine can prevent illness even after exposure to the disease, if given early enough.
“Anyone born after 1965 should ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine.
“This is especially important before overseas travel, as there are measles outbreaks in several regions of the world and there have recently been several travel-related measles cases in Australia.”
