Brisbane and Gold Coast residents warned after measles cases detected at concert, tourist attractions
Health authorities in Queensland are warning residents of the state’s two biggest cities to be on high alert after confirmed measles cases spent time at concerts, tourist attractions and major hospitals.
Queensland Health issued an official measles alert on Wednesday night after a person with the disease was confirmed to have been at two hospitals in Brisbane, whilst three cases were also confirmed to have attended a Jelly Roll concert at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Another case was confirmed at a special event at Sea World on the Gold Coast late last month.
A confirmed measles case attended a special event at Sea World on the Gold Coast late last month. (Paul Harris)
Queensland Health issued a public health alert in relation to the cases at the concert, which took place on Friday, October 24th.
Officials said the cases subsequently spent time at locations on the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Wide Bay whilst infectious.
A separate case in Brisbane spent time at St Vincent’s Private Hospital and North West Private Hospital on Saturday, November 8.
The person was at the first hospital between 8am-12pm local time, and was at the latter between 12pm-1pm.
On the Gold Coast, people who were at a special event at one of the main theme parks are being told to be on high alert, with a confirmed case attending SeaWorld’s “Spooky Nights” event on Friday, October 24.
The infected person was at the theme park between 6:30pm-9pm local time, and parkgoers are being urged to monitor for symptoms.
Measles is a highly infectious virus, where symptoms can sometimes take three weeks to appear after the initial point of infection. (Getty)
In Wednesday’s announcement, health officials also confirmed there had been further measles cases in central Queensland and the West Moreton regions in the past week, taking cases of the disease in Queensland to 30 in 2025.
Measles symptoms usually take 7-10 days to appear, but can sometimes take as long as three weeks.
The disease is spread by coughing and sneezing, or through secretions in the nose and mouth.
Symptoms 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.
Vaccines are the surest way to combat measles. (Julio Cortez/AP via CNN)
Serious complications, including blindness and swelling of the brain, are more common in young children and adults over age 30.
It is prevented by a vaccine administered routinely and safely to children around the world.
The virus is one of the most contagious known to medicine. One infected person can spread it to up to nine out of 10 unprotected people they come into close contact with.
Health experts say, by far, the best prevention against measles is the vaccine, which provides 97 per cent protection after two doses.
People who were in these public locations at the same time as the confirmed cases are being told to monitor for symptoms, and to arrange testing with their doctor straight away if symptoms emerge.
Health officials have also urged people to get vaccinated, which is free in the state.
