Measles warning issued for Qantas flight from Manila

Paris, France- May 13, 2014: Travelers are sitting during the flight and relax reading newspaper.
By Alexandra Coulton


Passengers on a Qantas flight from Manila to Sydney have been warned to watch out of measles symptoms after a fellow passenger was diagnosed with the highly contagious disease.

The man in his 20s was travelling on flight QF20, which landed at Sydney Airport at 6:30 on January 11, SMH reported.

NSW Health has warned passengers on the flight or present at the airport at that time should watch out for symptoms such as fever, sore eyes and a cough at least until the end of January.

“If you develop symptoms, please call ahead to your GP so that you do not wait in the waiting room with other patients,” communicable diseases director Vicky Sheppeard said in a statement.

The passenger developed the disease while in the Philippines and was diagnosed at a medical centre in Leichhardt after landing in Sydney.

The incident marks the sixth case of measles reported in Sydney in the past three weeks. All cases have occurred from patients recently visiting countries where the disease is still widespread.

NSW Health also said people travelling to Southeast Asia should ensure they are fully vaccinated before taking off.

The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is free for people aged one to 52.

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