Urgent health warning issued in New South Wales

Health officials have issued an urgent warning about measles after three cases were reported in New South Wales. One of the infected individuals was an unvaccinated traveler who returned from Vietnam. This has raised concerns due to ongoing outbreaks overseas. The sick individuals visited several locations in the Lake Macquarie and Newcastle areas. Local residents are advised to be vigilant for symptoms of measles, which include fever, runny nose, cough, and a red rash. The disease can be dangerous, especially for young children if not treated properly. Dr. David Durrheim from the Hunter New England Local Health District emphasized the importance of vaccination. Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. He noted that symptoms can appear up to 21 days after exposure, so anyone who visited the affected locations should monitor themselves for three weeks. Locations of concern include a soccer ground, Belmont Hospital Emergency Department, and several shopping centers. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is available for free to children and eligible adults in New South Wales. Authorities are worried about the risk of measles outbreaks in Australia as vaccination rates fall below the recommended 95 percent. Currently, about 92 percent of two-year-olds are vaccinated against measles. Experts warn that areas with lower vaccination rates are at higher risk for disease spread. The World Health Organization has reported ongoing measles outbreaks in Vietnam, which could heighten risks for travelers returning to Australia. In the first three months of 2025, New South Wales has already confirmed ten cases of measles.