NSW Health issues western Sydney alert after baby diagnosed with measles

Phoebe Loomes
Apr 06, 2023, updated Apr 06, 2023

Symptoms of measles include coughing, runny nose and red, sore eyes with a rash a few days later. <i>Photo: AP</i>

Symptoms of measles include coughing, runny nose and red, sore eyes with a rash a few days later. Photo: AP

A baby infected with measles has sparked a health alert in western Sydney after going to a Wiggles concert and numerous other venues in the highly populated district.

The baby is too young to be vaccinated for the highly infectious virus and NSW Health is investigating how the child was exposed to the disease.

It is not believed to be linked to another case diagnosed last month in another baby who had spent time in western Sydney, after acquiring the illness in India.

The baby attended The Wiggles concert in Campbelltown as well as a swim centre in Jamisontown.

NSW Health’s director of communicable disease Christine Selvey says parents who visited these areas with their children should be alert for symptoms.

Early symptoms of measles include coughing, a runny nose and sore, red eyes.

A red, blotchy rash can appear three to four days later.

Tweet from @NSWHealth

Symptoms can take up to 18 days to appear after exposure, and anyone who thinks their child may have contracted measles should call a GP for a test.

“Measles is a highly contagious infection, and the most vulnerable are infants under 12 months, who are too young to be vaccinated against it,” Dr Selvey said on Thursday.

Everyone born in or after 1966 should check that they have had two doses of the vaccine.

NSW Health warns people may have been exposed to the case at the following locations, and should monitor for symptoms:

Dunn & Farrugia Fencing And Gates, Jamisontown