General News
18 September, 2025
Mandatory masks at Cairns Hospital following measles outbreak
Cairns Hospital has introduced mandatory mask wearing in several key wards after four new measles cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of known cases in the region to seven.
The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service announced on Thursday, 11 September, that a measles outbreak is underway in Cairns, with confirmed cases linked to contact at Cairns Hospital.
Chief executive Leena Singh said the health service had a duty of care to minimise the risk of patients and staff being exposed to the highly contagious viral infection.
“To minimise risk to some of our most vulnerable patients in our hospital, compulsory mask wearing for staff and visitors in our Intensive Care Unit, Special Care Nursery, Maternity Unit, Cancer Care Ward, and the Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre is going to be required, for a short period of time,” Ms Singh said.
She urged members of the public who are unwell and showing measles symptoms to seek medical attention and not attend work.
“Please keep up to date with the latest exposure sites, dates and times on the Queensland Health website, and keep monitoring yourself and family for any measles symptoms,” she said.
The updated list of exposure sites includes locations across Cairns Hospital, the Cairns CBD, Smithfield, Mareeba, and Dimbulah.
Ms Singh said all frontline workers are required by Queensland Health to be vaccinated against measles, and that Public Health and Infection Control teams are working closely on contact tracing.
“We are asking for the public’s co-operation. Vigilance is critical to preventing further spread,” she said.
Measles typically begins with flu-like symptoms, including fever, tiredness, severe cough, red or sore eyes, runny nose, and white spots in the mouth, followed by a blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.
Cairns Public Health Unit director Dr Jacqui Murdoch said the new cases highlight how quickly measles can spread in close-contact environments such as hospitals.
“Those most at risk of contracting the illness are people who are not completely vaccinated against measles, people who are immunocompromised, and those too young to be vaccinated,” Dr Murdoch said.
“Early detection and precautions, like calling ahead to healthcare providers, are key to keeping our community safe. Vaccination remains our strongest defence against this highly contagious virus. The measles vaccine can even prevent illness if administered soon after exposure.”
For the latest list of exposure sites, visit https://bit.ly/46pxJKB.
