Measles alert after infectious fans attend Oasis and Jelly Roll concerts across Australia

Authorities have issued an urgent measles alert after an infectious traveller visited multiple Sydney locations — including the Oasis concert at Accor Stadium — while unknowingly contagious.

NSW Health said a Queenslander travelled from Brisbane through Sydney Airport, the Central Business District (CBD) and the Inner West, as well as using several train services, between Saturday 8 and Monday 10 November.

The infected person attended the Oasis concert on Saturday night, where thousands of fans packed the arena.

Anyone who visited any of the following locations at identified times should monitor for symptoms until Friday 28 November:

• The Oasis concert at ACCOR stadium in Sydney on Saturday 8 November
• Sydney Airport, Sydney CBD, inner west locations and trains at various dates and times between Saturday 8 and Monday 10 November
• The full list of locations is listed on the NSW Health website

It comes as Queensland Health continues to investigate three measles cases linked to the Jelly Roll concert in Brisbane.

Authorities confirmed three unconnected concertgoers were diagnosed after attending the US country-rap artist’s show at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall on Friday, October 24.

Thousands of fans were in attendance.

“Members of the public who attended this event may have been exposed to the disease and need to be alert for symptoms for up to three weeks from the exposure date,” Queensland Health said.

“These individuals also spent time in a number of locations in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Wide Bay areas while unknowingly infectious.”

Queensland chief health officer Dr Catherine McDougall said it was “highly likely” more cases would be detected in coming days due to the nature of the exposure.

“Given the way measles transmits, and given that the concert was indoors with a lot of people standing close together, there will definitely be more people who have contracted measles and who will develop symptoms in the coming days,” McDougall said.

“There will be quite an extensive list of exposure sites that will come out in the next 24 to 48 hours.”

Of the five measles cases confirmed in Queensland this week, three attended the concert.

Two additional unrelated measles cases have been confirmed this week in Central Queensland and the West Moreton regions.

Only one of the five newly confirmed cases was reportedly vaccinated, with all those infected aged between 30 and 49..

McDougall said NSW Health had also been notified, as the artist’s tour continued interstate.

Jelly Roll kicked off his inaugural tour of Australia at Brisbane, before playing at the Sunshine Coast, Adelaide, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth and Sydney.

What you should do

People who attended the Brisbane concert or who were at the following locations during the listed times are advised to monitor for symptoms for up to three weeks after possible exposure:

• Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall: Friday 24 October, 5pm - 12am
• St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside, Chermside: Saturday 8 November, 8.am - 12pm
• North West Private Hospital, Everton Park: Saturday 8 November, 12.pm - 1.pm

Measles symptoms can include fever, lethargy, runny nose, moist cough and sore red eyes, followed by a blotchy red rash that spreads from the face across the body.

“Symptoms usually start seven to 18 days after contact with an infected person, typically around day 10, but can sometimes take as long as three weeks,” McDougall said.

The illness is highly infectious and spreads through coughing and sneezing.

People who have been vaccinated against measles (MMR) or previously had measles are unlikely to catch the disease even if they have been exposed.

The MMR vaccine is free and available at GPs and community pharmacies.

People unsure of their vaccination status are encouraged to check with their healthcare provider.

Full exposure details are available on the Queensland Health website.

Authorities are urging anyone with symptoms to stay home and call their GP or 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) before visiting a clinic to help stop the spread.