17/01/2026
Measles in Mackay region!!
The Mackay Public Health Unit has confirmed a case of measles in an overseas traveller who has visited the Mackay region.
The traveller’s interactions within the community have been very limited and the risk of local transmission is considered low.
The Mackay Public Health Unit has completed all contact tracing and no local exposure sites have been identified.
The individual travelled up the Queensland coast by car. Any potential locations of concern will be published here https://www.health.qld.gov.au/newsroom/alerts.
Measles is a highly infectious virus that is spread by coughing and sneezing or through direct contact with secretions from the nose or mouth. Symptoms usually start 7-10 days after contact with an infected person but can sometimes take as long as three weeks.
Measles usually starts as a flu-like illness with symptoms that include:
🥵 fever
😪 tiredness
🤒 blotchy rash that spreads from head/face to rest of body
😷 severe cough
👀 red/sore eyes
👃 runny nose
👄 white spots in the mouth
Although the most well-known symptom of measles is a blotchy red rash, this is not usually the first symptom.
Measles can be a serious illness. Everyone should ensure they are vaccinated for measles, particularly if you are due to travel overseas.
For further information about measles, head to https://www.qld.gov.au/.../infec.../viral-infections/measles
