More travellers with highly infectious disease

Aussies have been urged to monitor symptoms after people infectious with measles travelled from Bali to Queensland and Western Australia.

WA Health issued a warning on Wednesday after three more measles cases were detected in returned travellers, with authorities urging the public to monitor for symptoms and ensure their vaccinations are up to date. The travellers visited Perth venues while infectious.

WA has recorded 13 measles cases in July and August 2025, including four in returned overseas travellers and nine acquired locally. So far this year, the state has reported 33 cases, up from just six in 2024.

The Queensland government has also confirmed a person unknowingly infectious with measles landed in Brisbane from Bali on August 19.

The person, who travelled on Jetstar flight JQ60, landed at about 5.40am last Tuesday.

Both the flight and Brisbane Airport between 5.40am and 7.10am that day are listed as potential exposure sites.

Authorities say the person then went to Aldi in Yamanto later that evening, with those who attended the store between 5.50pm and 6.40pm urged to monitor symptoms.

Days later, the person then travelled to Footes Pharmacy in Boonah on August 23 and Boonah Hospital emergency department, with the potential exposure times respectively between 11.30am and midday, and 6.20pm and 11.20pm.

“These places are now safe, but if you were there at the listed times, you should watch for symptoms of measles,” the West Moreton Health alert read.

People have been urged to keep an eye out for symptoms including fever, runny nose, cough, red or watery eyes, and a red, blotchy rash.

The virus is highly contagious and symptoms typically show up between a week or so of exposure.

However, it can take up to 18 days for symptoms to show.

West Moreton Health public health physician Catherine Quagliotto said the virus can cause “severe illness”.

“Early signs can include fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes, followed a few days later by a distinctive red, blotchy rash,” Dr Quagliotto said.

“Although serious complications are rare, measles can cause severe illness.

“Vaccination offers the best protection for both individuals and the community.”

WA Communicable Diseases Control Directorate director Paul Armstrong said the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine was “extremely effective and free for all Western Australians”.

“Adults aged between 30 to 60 years should get vaccinated if they do not have evidence of two doses of a measles vaccine,” Dr Armstrong said.

“Children are routinely offered the MMR vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age, so if you have young children, it is likely they are already vaccinated.”

Dr Armstrong also urged parents travelling with infants to consult their GP, as the measles vaccine schedule can begin from six months of age for infants travelling to high-risk areas.

“Measles is highly infectious and can cause serious illness, particularly in babies and young children, and often requires hospitalisation and, in rare cases, blindness or even death,” he said.

“Although measles is rare in Australia, we are seeing an increase in cases being brought in from overseas, as it is a common illness in many countries around the world. These include popular holiday destinations for Western Australians such as Indonesia, India, Vietnam and other countries in south and Southeast Asia.”

Anyone returning from overseas who develops symptoms of measles should contact their GP to urgently arrange testing and seek medical care, calling ahead and wearing a mask to prevent spreading the infection.

WA Health also encouraged people unsure of their immunisation status to get another dose of the vaccine, which is safe and will ensure full protection.

It comes just weeks after a warning was issued over another Bali flight.

A traveller on Jetstar flight JQ108 was infectious on the plane which departed Perth about 6.30pm on July 22, with two other cases reported from people on the same flight.