Central Coast Local Health District is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles
after being notified of a confirmed case who was infectious while visiting several locations on the
Central Coast, including Gosford Hospital.
The case recently returned from South-East Asia, where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles in
several countries.
People who attended the following locations should watch for the development of symptoms. These
locations do not pose an ongoing risk.
Tuesday 4 March 2025
• Gosford Hospital Emergency Department from 4.30am to 4.15pm -If you attended Gosford
Hospital Emergency Department monitor for symptoms until 22 March 2025. A dose of
measles-containing vaccine can protect against the development of measles for unvaccinated
people, if given within 72 hours of exposure to measles. Please contact your general
practitioner or your local public health unit on 1300 066 055 for further information if this
applies to you.
Saturday 1 March 2025
• Wamberal beach, 1pm to 3.45pm.
• Woolworths Erina Fair, 620-658 Terrigal Drive, Erina from 4pm to 4.30pm.
If you visited either of these locations monitor for symptoms until 19 March 2025.
Central Coast Local Health District Director Public Health Unit, Dr Kat Taylor, said anyone who visited
the above locations at those times should monitor for symptoms.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, runny nose, sore eyes 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 Taylor said.
“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 until the dates indicated.
“If you develop symptoms, please call ahead to your GP or emergency department to ensure you do
not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.
02 4320 2111 PO Box 361, GOSFORD, NSW, 2250 2
“We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. The
measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough.
“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 (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective, and is given free for children at 12
and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn't already had two
doses.
Children under the age of 12 months can have their first dose of MMR up to six months earlier if they
are travelling to areas with a high risk for measles. Parents should consult their GP.
People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses
are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages)
and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age).
For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet