Measles alert for northern Sydney

02 January 2026
​NSW Health is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a confirmed case who was infectious while visiting several locations in northern Sydney. 

The case recently returned from Indonesia where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles, and they were also identified as a contact of a measles case on their return flight to Australia. 

People who attended the following locations should watch for symptoms of measles. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk. 

Saturday, 27 December 2025: 
  • Train from Thornleigh Station to Epping Station, then bus from Epping Station to Macquarie Centre at approximately 11am.
  • Macquarie Centre from 12pm to 7pm including: 
    • Mitzu Restaurant from 1pm to 2.20pm
    • Macquarie Centre children’s play area from 2.20pm to 4pm
    • F&L Gourmet Restaurant from 5pm to 7pm.
Sunday, 28 December 2025: 
  • Storey Park playground, Asquith, from 12.30pm to 2pm.
Tuesday, 30 December 2025:
  • Waitara Oval from 1pm to 1:30pm. 
  • Jamie’s Kitchen and children’s play area, Waitara PCYC, from 1.30pm to 3pm. 
  • Aldi Supermarket, Westfield Shopping Centre, Hornsby from 2.45pm to 4.15pm.
Wednesday, 31 December 2025
  • Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Hospital Emergency Department, various times from 5.15pm to 8pm.
The full list of locations and times is on the NSW Health website.

Northern Sydney Local Health District Acting Director of Public Health, Dr Sean Tobin, said if you or someone you know visited the above locations at those times, you should monitor for symptoms. 

If symptoms develop, see your doctor or health service (including emergency department). Call ahead to let them know that you may have come into contact with measles, so you don’t spend time in waiting rooms with other patients. 

“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 Tobin said. 

“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it's important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms until 18 January 2026.” 

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

“We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough,” Dr Tobin said.

“This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious. 

“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment." 

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn't already had two doses. 

Children under the age of 12 months can have a dose of MMR from six months of age if they are travelling overseas. Parents should consult their GP. 

People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age). 

For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet. 

If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or healthdirect on 1800 022 222.​