Highly infectious, deadly disease 'likely circulating' in Sydney

Thursday, 20 November 2025 14:45

More than 10 years after Australia eliminated the illness, someone who hasn't been to an exposure site has somehow become infected.

Sydneysiders have been warned that measles is probably circulating through the city, more than 10 years after Australia eliminated the highly infectious and potentially deadly disease.

NSW Health said today that someone has caught the virus in Sydney, even though they had not been overseas and hadn't been at any of the known exposure sites in the city.

Because authorities don't know where the person caught the disease, they said it's probably spreading through the local community.

"With the source of the infection unknown, it is likely measles is currently circulating within the community, and other people may have been unknowingly exposed to measles," NSW Health said in a statement.

Residents have been told to check they are up to date with their vaccinations, and to keep on the alert for symptoms of the disease.

"Symptoms to watch out for 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," South Western Sydney Local Health District public health director Dr Mitchell Smith said.

"It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure. It's important for people to stay vigilant and if they develop symptoms, to please call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients."

Excited fans arrive at Accor Stadium to see Oasis as part of their Live '25 global tour in Sydney Australia

The warning comes a week after NSW Health warned someone with the disease had been at Oasis' sold-out concert in Sydney on Saturday, November 8, as well as a Jelly Roll gig in Brisbane on October 24.

Measles is one of the most contagious human diseases, and can lead to severe and deadly complications, including pneumonia and acute encephalitis, or brain inflammation.

According to the Australian Centre for Disease Control, nine out of ten people who are near an infected person will catch the disease themselves, whether through direct contact, coughing or sneezing, or even just breathing in the same air.

However, the measles vaccine – which is free in Australia for 12- and 18-month-olds – is both safe and extremely effective against the virus, providing long-term protection against infection in 99 per cent of people.

According to the World Health Organisation, the vaccine saved almost 32 million lives between 2000 and 2020.

"Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine," Smith 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 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…

"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."

Vaccination helped eliminate measles in many countries in the past few decades, including Australia in 2014.

However, growing anti-vaccine sentiment has led to outbreaks of the disease across the globe.

Canada, for example, was declared measles-free in 1998 but has now lost that status and is currently battling thousands of cases, while the number of infections in the United States is growing towards 2000.

A full list of exposure sites in NSW can be seen here.

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