Health officials are warning Sydneysiders to closely monitor symptoms of measles after two more cases of the highly contagious disease were confirmed.
NSW Health has warned that one of the two new cases was locally acquired in Sydney, following a known case who recently returned from Southeast Asia.
“New South Wales is currently at increased risk of measles, with four confirmed measles cases in the last week and 13 current confirmed cases since 1 December 2025. We expect further cases to be confirmed as people return from overseas holidays,” they said.
“Recently confirmed cases have visited a number of locations across Sydney, including health facilities, without knowing they were infected. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk.”
Sydney Local Health District Director of Public Health Dr Leena Gupta said people should closely monitor themselves for symptoms.
A person’s body is covered with a rash, measles.
Diagram of measles virus infection showing giant multinucleated cells, known as Warthin-Finkeldi giant cells, seen during microscopic examination of a biopsy specimen.
“If you develop symptoms and were present during the hours listed on the website, please contact your doctor or health service, including the emergency department. Please call ahead to inform them that you may have been exposed to measles to avoid spending time in the waiting room with other patients,” Dr. Gupta said.
“Symptoms to look out for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and cough, followed by a red patchy rash that usually appears three to four days later and spreads from the head to the rest of the body.”
Dr Gupta also reminded Sydneysiders of the importance of keeping their vaccinations up to date.
“The measles vaccine can protect against disease even after exposure if given early enough,” she said.
“People born after 1965 should ensure they have received two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before traveling abroad as there are currently measles outbreaks in several parts of the world.”
Measles case confirmed at Centennial Parkrun
It comes after the popular Sydney parkrun was also put under an emergency health alert after a measles case was confirmed at a participant last Saturday.
Centenary Parkrun posted on its Facebook community page on Tuesday a letter from the Sydney Local Health District saying a measles patient ran with the group.
“An individual infected with measles participated in the parkrun from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on January 17, 2026,” the letter said.
It is unclear whether the confirmed cases who attended the Centennial Park run are linked to cases that have visited several locations around Greater Sydney’s west.
A list of exposure locations and times will be updated regularly on the NSW Department of Health website.