Cairns: Urgent health warning after measles outbreak declared at Queensland backpackers hostel

Health officials are urging anyone travelling from South East Asia to get vaccinated after a measles outbreak in a hostel in Cairns.

Queensland Health was first notified of a confirmed case of measles after an infected person contracted the disease before visiting a backpackers’ hostel in Cairns in late August.

Further infections have been confirmed, with another person contracting the disease between August 28 and September 2 after visiting the Mad Monkey Waterfront hostel, located on The Esplanade.

It’s believed the travellers went from Bali to Australia while unknowingly infectious.

“There’s a number of measles outbreaks at the moment in South-East Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia, including Bali,” Cairns Public Health Unit director Jacqueline Murdoch told the ABC.

“If anyone is going to these places over the school holidays or in the upcoming months, please see your GP and make sure you have sufficient immunity to measles.”

Health officials have urged the public to monitor for symptoms of measles, which can include fever, lethargy, a runny nose, moist cough and sore red eyes.

“This is followed a few days later by a blotchy, red rash which often starts on the face and then becomes widespread over the body,” Queensland Health said in a statement.

“Measles symptoms may appear 7–18 days after exposure, typically around day 10.”

Measles is spread via coughing and sneezing, and is highly infectious.

Health officials have urged people to get vaccinated against the disease to prevent further spread.

Members of the public who visited the following locations should also monitor for symptoms:

• Mad Monkey Waterfront backpackers, 93A The Esplanade, Cairns between September 6-10
• Rufus Restaurant, 43 Spence St, Cairns City on September 6
• Cairns GP Superclinic (formerly Cairns 24hr Medical Centre), 156 Grafton St, Cairns City on September 10