General News
11 September, 2025
Measles outbreak declared
PUBLIC health officials have declared an outbreak of measles in Cairns following local transmission of the illness.
A second case of measles has been confirmed in Cairns, after a case was detected late last week in Cairns’ city centre.
Members of the public should be alert for signs and symptoms of measles, particularly if you have been at the following locations at the specified times:
Mad Monkey Waterfront backpackers, 93A The Esplanade, Cairns, Saturday 6 September – Wednesday 10 September
Rufus Restaurant, 43 Spence St, Cairns City, Saturday 6 September 3pm – 10.30pm
Cairns GP Superclinic (formerly Cairns 24hr Medical Centre), 156 Grafton St, Cairns City, Wednesday 10 September 11.30am-12pm.
This follows the first case of measles last week.
The potential exposure areas include the Cairns Esplanade area from 28 August to 2 September and the specific locations and times are:
Mad Monkey Waterfront backpackers, 93A The Esplanade, Cairns Thursday, 28 August –Tuesday, 2 September (seven days)
Woolworths Lake Street Thursday, 28 August, 2pm
Ollies Italian restaurant, 1 Marlin Parade, Friday, 29 August, 6pm – 7pm
GP Superclinic, corner Florence and Grafton streets, Cairns Saturday, 30 August, 5pm – 5.10pm
Cairns Hospital Emergency Department waiting room, Sunday, 31 August, 6pm – 10pm Tuesday 2 September, 2.30am-9am.
Measles usually starts as a flu-like illness with symptoms that include:
fever
tiredness
blotchy rash that spreads from head/face to rest of body
severe cough
red/sore eyes
runny nose
white spots in the mouth.
Cairns Public Health Unit director Dr Jacqui Murdoch urged members of the public to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles.
“We need people to be extremely cautious about monitoring themselves and their families for signs and symptoms of measles – especially if you are not vaccinated - as this new case has been locally acquired,” she said.
"Measles is a highly infectious virus that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes.
"Symptoms usually start 7-10 days after contact with an infected person but can sometimes take as long as three weeks.
"If you have any measles symptoms, you can arrange testing with your GP or call 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for advice.
"If you think you may have measles, it is very important that you avoid public spaces.
"Please contact your GP and pathology services before attending so they can take appropriate precautions to avoid spreading measles to others."
Dr Murdoch reminded everyone to check that they are protected against measles, particularly those planning international travel.
"Please consider seeing a GP to be immunised for measles, if you are not already immune to measles. The vaccine is free for Australian residents.
"The measles vaccine can prevent illness even after exposure to the disease, if given early enough.
"Anyone born during or after 1966 should ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine.
"This is especially important before overseas travel, as there are measles outbreaks in several regions of the world including Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia, including Bali.
"Protect yourself and others against this serious illness by getting vaccinated.
"You don’t want to bring a very unwelcome souvenir home."
For more information https://bit.ly/3JP7OUZ
