Sydney's measles outbreak linked to Southeast Asia as health officials send warning

An outbreak of measles in Sydney has been predominantly linked to return travellers from Southeast Asia.

A report from NSW Health said of the 60 cases of the highly infectious disease seen in the state since the start of last year, over half had come from people who had travelled in the region.

While Australia has officially been measles-free since 2014, it is common in several Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, which is a popular tourist destination for Australians.

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It comes as Sydney battles a growing outbreak of measles, with two more cases confirmed late yesterday, taking the current tally of people infected with the disease since January 1 to 26.

An alert said one of the cases was acquired locally, but the source of the other infection was unknown.

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"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.

Several new exposure sites have been revealed, including restaurants and healthcare centres on the Northern Beaches and north shore, as well as in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.

People who were at the Summer Dance Festival at Liberty Hall Courts in Moore Park on Saturday, March 7th have been told to monitor for symptoms of measles until March 25, with the disease sometimes taking 18 days before it shows itself.

"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," Dr Christine Selvey from NSW Health said.

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Health officials say vaccination is the quickest and safest way to protect yourself from contracting measles.

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is free for anyone in NSW born after 1965, and is given to babies when they are 12 months and 18 months old.

Selvey said those overseas should be aware of their vaccination status before they travel.

"This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment."

You can find a full list of current exposure sites here.

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