Health authorities are advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after receiving notification of someone having visited several locations in Byron Bay, Lennox Head, Tintenbar and Broken Head while infectious last week.
The infected person is reported to have recently been travelling in South East Asia where there are outbreaks of measles in several countries.
The Northern NSW Local Health District has released a list of places and times for people to take note of and if they were in those places at the times specified, they’re advised to watch for symptoms of measles.
The places named aren’t considered an ongoing health risk.
The places and times are:
Monday 31 March 2025:
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- Combi Café, 5b/21-25 Fletcher St, Byron Bay, 10:50am to 11:50am
Tuesday 1 April 2025:
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- Killen Falls, 38 Killen Falls Dr, Tintenbar, 11:30am to 12pm
- Kiosk Lennox Beach, Pacific Parade, Lennox Head, 12:08pm to 12:30pm
- Lake Ainsworth, Pacific Parade, Lennox Head, 12:30pm to 3pm
- Broken Head Beach, Broken Head Reserve Rd, Broken Head, 3:30pm to 4:30pm.
North Coast Population and Public Health Regional Director Dr Valerie Delpech says it can take up to 18 days for measles symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms up until 19 April 2025.
Symptoms include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.
Anyone who develops symptoms is advised to call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.
Vaccine reminder
Dr Delpech says measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes.
The local health district director says authorities 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,’ Dr Delpech said in the alert.
‘Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine,’ she said.
‘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 free for children at 12 and 18 months of age and 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 but authorities advise parents to consult their GP.
People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses are advised to get a vaccine, particularly before traveling.
The NNSWLD says the vaccine is available from GPs for everyone and from pharmacies for people over the age of five.
More information on measles is available via the measles factsheet.
Anyone experiencing measles symptoms, or with questions about measles, is advised to call your GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
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