Backpacker sparks Sydney measles alert

A backpacker who stayed at a Sydney hostel and also visited a major city hospital has sparked a measles alert.

The traveller had come back from south-east Asia which has outbreaks of the disease, NSW Health said.

They stayed at the Original Backpacker Hostel in Victoria Street in Potts Point from Tuesday, June 16, until Saturday, June 20.

They also went to St Vincent’s Hospital on Saturday, June 20 between 12.40pm and 1.30pm.

They didn’t know they were infectious and also visited spots in the CBD, Potts Point and Darlinghurst.

The infectious person shopped at Coles Central Kings Cross Tuesday, June 16 from around 11.30pm to 12:30pm

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They also went to a dry cleaner multiple times.

They were at Potts Point Laundry & Dry Cleaning on Thursday, June 18 from 8.30pm to 9pm, Friday, June 19 from around 10.30am to 11.30am and Saturday, June 20 between 11.30am and 12pm.

They also spent hours at two hairdressing salons.

They were at Maryane Hair and Beaute in Darlinghurst on Wednesday, June 17 from 12-6pm, and at Savvy Hair Boutique in Martin Place from 10.45am until 3.30pm the day after.

The patient caught a T4 train from Martin Place to Kings Cross that day at 10.20am until 10.45am and back again from 3.20pm to 3.45pm.

They also went to Terry White Chemmart Kings Cross that night between 5.30pm and 7pm.

Anyone who was at the places at the same time should keep an eye out for symptoms for 18 days since they may have been exposed.

There is no ongoing risk of measles at the locations.

There have been 51 cases of measles in NSW this year.

Symptoms to watch for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough. This is usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that starts on the head and face then spreads down the body, NSW Health said.