A child with a rash. Picture from Canva
Three people in Wollongong have come down with measles following contact with another case earlier this month.
The confirmation of the new cases has prompted NSW Health to issue an alert, advising residents to look out for signs and symptoms of the highly infectious disease.
It comes after measles was detected in a person who’d recently returned from Southeast Asia, which led to an earlier alert on March 16.
The health department confirmed that the new cases had acquired their infection locally and had visited several locations in the city while they were unknowingly infectious.
Refine Pilates North Wollongong, Shop 11&12 2/14 Cliff Road, North Wollongong – 10.15am to 11.30am on Monday, March 23
North Beach Pavilion bathrooms, 5 Cliff Road, North Wollongong – 11.15am to 11.45am on Monday, March 23
Leisure Coast Fairy Meadow, 75 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow – 12pm to 1.30pm on Monday, March 23
Woolworths Fairy Meadow, 66 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow – 1pm to 2pm on Monday, March 23
BWS Fairy Meadow, 66 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow – 1pm to 2pm on Monday, March 23
IGA North Wollongong, 2B/6 Flinders St, North Wollongong – 5.30pm to 6.20pm on Monday, March 23
Yachties Cafe, 85 Endeavour Drive, Wollongong – 11am to 11.30am and 1.30pm to 2pm on Sunday, March 22
Refine Pilates North Wollongong, Shop 11&12 2/14 Cliff Road, North Wollongong – 9.30am to 11am on Sunday, March 22
People who attended these locations during the dates and times specified should watch for symptoms.
These places do not pose an ongoing risk, but the list of exposure locations and times is updated regularly on the NSW Health website.
Anyone who is pregnant, has a weakened immune system or has an infant and was at the exposure locations within the last six days should contact the Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.
NSW Health says there is an increased risk of measles in the state as the number of confirmed cases this year climbs to 37.
There is currently an increased risk of measles in NSW, with 37 cases confirmed since 1 January 2026.
There were 37 cases during the whole of 2025, and 17 the year before.
Executive director of Health Protection NSW, Dr Kerryn Coleman said anyone who developed symptoms and had been at one of the exposure locations should see their doctor or health service, including the emergency department, but call ahead to let them know it could be measles.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body,” Dr Coleman said.
“Anyone with early symptoms who gets a rash a few days later should also think about measles, even if they haven’t attended one of the identified locations, and seek testing.
“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms for this period.”
Measles is a viral infection that is spread when an infectious person coughs or sneezes.
“Importantly, we want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. Measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough,” Dr Coleman said.
“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.”
The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is given free for children at 12 and 18 months old, and is free for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses.
Children between the ages of six and 12 months can have an early dose of MMR if they are travelling overseas.
Anyone unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe.
The vaccine is available from GPs and pharmacies.
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