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Multiple Australian States Report Measles Cases; Health Authorities Issue Public Warnings

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Measles Outbreak Across Australia: Health Alerts Issued for Multiple States and Territories

At least 33 confirmed measles cases have been reported in NSW alone between January and February 2026, with additional cases in WA, ACT, and Queensland.

A number of confirmed measles cases have been reported across several Australian states and territories in early 2026, including New South Wales (NSW), Western Australia (WA), the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and Queensland. Health authorities in these regions have issued public health alerts identifying specific locations where individuals may have been exposed to the virus.

New South Wales

Case Totals and Origins

NSW Health has reported a total of 33 confirmed measles cases between January 1 and the end of February 2026. An additional 14 cases were confirmed since the start of the year in a separate report, with 11 cases identified in a three-week period.

The origins of the cases vary:

  • Some cases involved travelers returning from overseas, including locations in South-East Asia (such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand).
  • Two cases in western Sydney are reported to have acquired the infection locally, having visited a NSW exposure site concurrently with a previously confirmed case.
  • The source of infection for at least one other case is under investigation, as the individual has no recent overseas travel history.

Exposure Locations by Region

Northern Sydney (December 2025 – January 2026)

Saturday, December 27, 2025:

  • Train from Thornleigh Station to Epping Station, and bus from Epping Station to Macquarie Centre (approximately 11:00 AM)
  • Macquarie Centre (12:00 PM to 7:00 PM), including Mitzu Restaurant (1:00 PM to 2:20 PM), children's play area (2:20 PM to 4:00 PM), and F&L Gourmet Restaurant (5:00 PM to 7:00 PM)

Sunday, December 28, 2025:

  • Storey Park playground, Asquith (12:30 PM to 2:00 PM)

Tuesday, December 30, 2025:

  • Waitara Oval (1:00 PM to 1:30 PM)
  • Jamie's Kitchen and children's play area, Waitara PCYC (1:30 PM to 3:00 PM)
  • Aldi Supermarket, Westfield Shopping Centre, Hornsby (2:45 PM to 4:15 PM)

Wednesday, December 31, 2025:

  • Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Hospital Emergency Department (5:15 PM to 8:00 PM)
Northern Sydney (January 2026)
  • Big W and Woolworths, Warringah Mall (January 15, 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM)
  • Manly Dam (January 18, 4:00 PM to 5:40 PM)
  • Coles Balgowlah (January 18, 5:15 PM to 6:00 PM)
Western Sydney and Blue Mountains
  • Priceline Pharmacy, St Clair (January 14, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM)
  • Nepean Hospital Emergency Department (January 16, 7:50 PM to January 17, 7:40 PM)
  • Woolworths, Jordan Springs (March 17, 8:15 AM to 9:20 AM)
  • Baby Bunting Penrith, Jamisontown (March 18, 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM)
  • Kmart Penrith – Nepean Village (March 18, 2:30 PM to 3:20 PM)
  • Brell House, St Marys (March 18, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM)
  • Young Academics Early Learning Centre, Cranebrook (March 18 & 20, various times)
  • Scent Method Warehouse, Prestons (March 19, 11:30 AM to 12:10 PM)
  • Terry White Chemist, Jordan Springs (March 19, 6:00 PM to 6:50 PM)
  • Parx Coffee House, Cranebrook (March 20, 8:55 AM to 9:30 AM)
  • Subway, Jordan Springs (March 20, 7:00 PM to 7:35 PM)
  • XS Espresso, Jordan Springs (March 21, 11:50 AM to 12:35 PM)
Central and Eastern Sydney
  • Sydney Airport International Arrivals Hall (December 27, 10:45 AM to 12:00 PM) – flight GA712 from Jakarta
  • Blacktown Hospital emergency waiting room (December 29, 12:00 PM to December 30, 6:00 AM)
  • Only Coffee Project and Woolworths, Crows Nest
  • Crowne Plaza, Burwood
  • High Street Family Doctors, Penrith (March 15)
  • 7-Eleven, Kingswood (March 14, 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM)
  • Multiple services on the T1 Western Line train
  • Nepean Hospital Children’s Ward and Emergency Department
Illawarra, Shoalhaven, and Southern Highlands (February 2026)
  • Fitzroy Falls (February 10, 12:25 PM to 1:45 PM)
  • Fitzroy Falls Souvenir Shop (February 10, 1:00 PM to 1:40 PM)
  • Southern Rise Bakery, Robertson (February 10, 1:40 PM to 2:40 PM)
  • Robertson Supermarket and Bottleshop (February 10, 2:20 PM to 2:50 PM)
  • Bean Roasted Espresso Bar, Calderwood (February 11, 10:55 AM to 11:35 AM)
  • Blue Jay Cafe, Albion Park (February 11, 11:05 AM to 11:50 AM)

Health authorities have stated that these locations do not pose an ongoing risk to the public outside the listed dates and times.

Western Australia

Case Totals and Origins

Western Australia has reported multiple measles cases in 2026, following 63 cases recorded in 2025 (the highest caseload in 30 years), with clusters in the South West, Pilbara, and metropolitan areas. The reported cases include:

  • A traveler who returned from Bali and Phuket, Thailand.
  • An additional traveler who returned from Bali.

Exposure Locations (Perth Metropolitan Area)

  • Wembley Golf Club (January 14, 11:15 AM to 11:50 AM)
  • Toyota Melville (January 15, 7:50 AM to 8:30 AM and 4:15 PM to 4:45 PM)
  • Bunnings O’Connor (January 16, 7:10 AM to 7:50 AM)
  • Woolworths Coolbellup (January 16, 7:05 PM to 7:40 PM)
  • South Street Pharmacy (January 19, 8:40 AM to 9:15 AM)
  • Fiona Stanley Hospital Emergency Department (6:50 PM to 10:05 PM)
  • St John of God Midland Hospital emergency department (dates between March 5 and 11)
  • Several grocery stores (dates between March 5 and 11)

Australian Capital Territory

Exposure Locations (Canberra, February 2026)

  • Hertz Car Rental Agency and Arrivals area, Canberra Airport (February 16, 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM)
  • Gungahlin Walk-In Centre (February 18, 3:15 PM to 5:40 PM)
  • Emergency Department waiting room, Canberra Hospital (February 18, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM)

Authorities have stated that the ACT case involved a traveler who had recently returned from overseas.

Queensland

Exposure Locations (Gold Coast)

  • Hillsong Church, Robina (March 8, 5:15 PM to 8:30 PM)
  • Robina Town Centre (March 9, 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM)
  • ALDI Robina (March 10, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM)
  • RACV Royal Pines Resort, Benowa
  • Mudgee Bah Espresso Cafe, Mudgeeraba

These cases were contracted by individuals overseas before their return to Australia.

Measles Information

Symptoms

Symptoms of measles typically appear approximately 10 days after exposure, with a range of 7 to 18 days. Common symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue or tiredness
  • Runny nose
  • Sore or red eyes
  • Cough
  • A red, blotchy rash that typically appears 3 to 4 days after initial symptoms, beginning on the head and face before spreading to the rest of the body. The rash may last 4 to 7 days.

Infected individuals are contagious from one day before symptoms begin until four days after the rash appears.

Transmission

Measles is a highly contagious virus transmitted through airborne droplets from coughs or sneezes. These droplets can remain infectious in a room for up to 30 minutes after an infected person has departed.

Complications

Measles can lead to complications including pneumonia and, less frequently, encephalitis (brain inflammation). Vaccinated individuals who contract measles typically experience a milder and shorter illness.

Public Health Advice

Monitoring and Symptoms

Individuals who visited any listed exposure locations during the specified times are advised to monitor for symptoms for up to 18 days following their visit.

If symptoms develop, individuals are advised to:

  • Contact a doctor or health service (including emergency departments) by phone prior to arrival.
  • Inform staff of potential measles exposure.
  • Wear a face mask upon arrival.

These precautions are intended to prevent potential transmission in waiting areas.

Specific Risk Groups

Pregnant individuals, those with weakened immune systems, or individuals with an exposed infant who were at an exposure location within the last six days are advised to contact their local Public Health Unit.

In NSW, the contact number for Public Health Units is 1300 066 055. In the ACT, the contact number for the Health and Community Services Directorate (HCSD) is (02) 5124 9213.

Vaccination Information

Effectiveness and Availability

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is reported to be safe and effective. The vaccine may prevent the disease even after exposure if administered early enough.

Vaccination Schedule and Eligibility

  • The MMR vaccine is provided free for children at 12 and 18 months of age.
  • In NSW, the vaccine is free for any resident born after 1965 who has not received two doses.
  • Children aged 6 months or older can receive an early MMR dose if traveling internationally, following consultation with a general practitioner.
  • In the ACT, the vaccine is free, though an administration fee may apply.
  • The MMR vaccine is available from general practitioners for all ages and from pharmacies for individuals over 5 years of age.

Recommendations

Health authorities recommend that:

  • Individuals born after 1965 ensure they have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, with documented evidence of vaccination.
  • Individuals planning international travel confirm their vaccination status, particularly to regions with ongoing measles outbreaks.
  • Individuals unsure of their vaccination status may receive an additional dose, which is considered safe.

Immunity

Individuals are considered immune to measles if they have documented evidence of receiving two measles vaccinations or were born before 1966.

For further information, authorities direct the public to state health department websites, the Australian Government Smart Traveller website, and health hotlines such as Healthdirect (1800 022 222).