Measles alert for western Sydney after infected traveller returns from Asia

NSW Health has issued a measles alert after an infectious person visited multiple locations in western Sydney.

The person recently returned from South-East Asia, where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles in several countries including Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

A pathology clinic and chemist in Rouse Hill, as well as the emergency department waiting room at Norwest Private Hospital have been named as sites where the infectious person visited on Friday and over the weekend.

READ MORE: Woolworths suffers rare $190 million blow to profits

Measles is a disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes.

Western Sydney Local Health District Director of Public Health, Dr Catherine Bateman, said although the locations - listed at the end of this article - posed no ongoing risk, anyone who visited them at the time as the infectious person should keep an eye out for symptoms.

"Symptoms to watch out for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes 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," Bateman said.

"It's important for people to stay vigilant if they've been exposed, 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."

Exposure sites:

· Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Adelphi Street Rouse Hill - from 2pm to 3pm on Friday, February 21.

· Soul Pattinson Chemist, Rouse Hill Village Centre Adelphi Street - from 2:30pm to 3:30pm on Friday, February 21.

· Norwest Private Hospital Emergency Department waiting room from 1:30pm to 2.30pm on Sunday 23 February.