Sydney measles cases triggers warning

Sydneysiders are being warned to be alert for measles symptoms after another infected person was diagnosed with the highly contagious disease - the sixth since December.

NSW Health said a young person, believed to be a man in his 20s, contracted the disease overseas before visiting a number of areas in the CBD, the city's inner-west and Baulkham Hills, and frequented inner west train services, during five days over January and February.

"Measles is highly contagious and is spread in the air through coughing or sneezing by someone who is unwell with the disease," director of Communicative Diseases Dr Vicky Sheppeard said on Wednesday.

The man spent time at:

* Norton Plaza, Leichhardt (Jan 31)

* Stockland Mall, Baulkham Hills (Feb 1)

* Martin Place food court (Feb 2)

* Mary's (restaurant and bar) Newtown (Feb 2) in the evening

* University of Sydney (Feb 3)

* PACT centre for emerging artists Erskineville (Feb 4) in the evening.

Measles symptoms include: fever, sore eyes and a cough followed by a red a blotchy rash spreading across the body from the head or neck.

Dr Sheppeard said the latest measles sufferer caught the disease overseas but was not infectious until he was back in Sydney.

She also urged anyone born after 1966 who had not received two vaccines to inoculate themselves as soon as possible.