NSW Health Warns Measles May Be Circulating In Sydney Following New Case

Health authorities warn measles may already be spreading in Sydney after a south-west resident caught the illness with no known link to other infections.

In a statement on Saturday, NSW Health confirmed the case, bringing New South Wales’ total for 2026 to 22, and warned residents to stay vigilant.

“This person has had no known contact with anyone else with measles,” said NSW Health.

“It is likely measles is currently circulating within the community, and other people may have been unknowingly exposed to measles.”

The resident visited several locations between 22 and 25 February, including Fresh & Hot Restaurant in Wolli Creek, health clinics in Campbeltown and Gregory Hills and the emergency department at Campbeltown Hospital twice.

Exposure sites now stretch across Sydney’s CBD, Inner West, Western Sydney suburbs and parts of the North Shore, meaning more residents could have been exposed without knowing it.

Anyone who visited these locations should monitor for symptoms until 15 March, as measles can take up to 18 days to show, with early signs often appearing as a cold.

Dr Stephen Conaty of South Western Sydney Local Health District said, “Watch out for 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 with early symptoms who gets a rash a few days later should also think about measles, even if they haven’t attended one of the identified locations, and seek testing.”

Cases have also popped up in Lismore and other parts of Australia, while Victoria issued a statewide warning, especially for residents of Melbourne.

Authorities note that measles first entered New South Wales this year via an international traveller from South-East Asia who visited Sydney airport and Blacktown Hospital while infectious, in late December.

While that case is no longer actively spreading, it shows how quickly the virus can reach the community.

Dr Conaty stresses that residents stay up to date with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, as it can protect residents in preventing infection.

“Measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough,” he said.

For more information and the full list of exposure sites, visit health.nsw.gov.au