21/09/2025
For those going away this school holiday to Cairns or Mareeba.
⚠️ Measles alert for Cairns. ⚠️
There have been six cases of measles in Cairns since 4 September 2025.
The individuals spent time at a number of locations in Cairns, Smithfield, Mareeba and Dimbulah while unknowingly being contagious.
The list of exposure sites and times is being regularly updated and includes Cairns Hospital, Cairns CBD, supermarkets, restaurants and backpacker hostels.
For a full list of exposure locations, visit: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/newsroom/alerts/measles-alert-cairns
Members of the public who were in these areas, on these dates, need to be alert for symptoms of measles for up to three weeks from the exposure date.
The initial symptoms can include fever, lethargy, 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.
If you have any of the measles symptoms, contact your GP or ED. It is very important to call the medical practice or ED first if you think you might have measles, so that staff can take precautions to avoid spreading it to others.
For more information about the measles virus call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
