Urgent warning for dozens of Qantas passengers exposed to a highly contagious virus on board a flight from Jakarta to Sydney

• Measles was detected on a flight from Jakarta to Sydney
• Passengers on flight QFA4 are urged to check symptoms 
• NZ’s health agency warned Kiwis who were on the flight

Passengers are being warned to check for measles symptoms after cases were detected on a Qantas flight that landed in Sydney.

Flight QFA4 took off from Jakarta, Indonesia, and arrived in Sydney at 6.17am on February 15 before flying to New Zealand.

Passengers onboard that flight or who travelled through Sydney International and Domestic Airports last Wednesday have been advised to check for symptoms which include high fever, coughing, a runny nose, watery eyes and in serious cases a red rash.

Those present at the domestic arrivals terminal of Canberra Airport, including the baggage claim area, between 11am and 11.30am last Wednesday are also urged to observe for symptoms. 

NSW Health confirmed the original case – an ACT resident – developed the highly contagious infection while travelling in Asia. 

Aussie and Kiwi passengers on Qantas flight QFA4 which flew from Jakarta, Indonesia, to Sydney are being urged to check for measles symptoms after cases were detected

NSW Health assisting director of communicable diseases, Dr Katherine Todd, said these locations do not pose an ongoing risk, but urged people who may be susceptible to measles and were present at exposure sites to be alert for symptoms until March 5.

‘Those most likely to be susceptible to measles are infants under 12 months of age who are too young to be vaccinated, and anyone who is not fully vaccinated against the disease, which may include some adults,’ Dr Todd said. 

‘If you develop symptoms, please call ahead to your GP to ensure you do not wait in the waiting room with other patients,’ Dr Todd said.

‘The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is safe and effective protection against measles. It’s free for anyone born during or after 1966 who hasn’t already had two doses. If you’re unsure whether you’ve had two doses, it’s safe to have another.’

New Zealand’s public health agency, Te Whatu Ora, also issued a warning Kiwis on board the same flight on Wednesday morning.

The agency strongly urged those Kiwis to call the country’s health advice service, Healthline, immediately if they had not already been contacted.

New Zealand National Public Health Service clinical lead Dr William Rainger said six passengers had been contacted, but there were 29 people health staff were still trying to reach. 

The flight landed at Sydney international airport at 6.17am on February 15 before flying to New Zealand (pictured, a COVID-19 testing clinic at Sydney international airport) 

NSW Health assisting director of communicable diseases, Dr Katherine Todd, said the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (pictured) ‘is safe and effective protection against measles’ for those who are unvaccinated

Those onboard flight QFA4 who are immunocompromised, pregnant and not vaccinated against measles or have a child under the age of 12 months who has not been vaccinated is urged to contact their local public health unit. 

Symptoms of measles include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash spreading from the head and neck to the rest of the body.

Measles is highly contagious and is spread in the air through coughing or sneezing by someone who is unwell with the disease

Qantas declined to comment on the measles cases detected on the flight. 

Measles exposure sites in Australia

* Passengers on QF42 from Jakarta to Sydney departing at 7pm on February 14 and arriving in Sydney 6.20am on February 15

* In the international arrivals terminal including baggage claim and customs, between 6am and 8am on February 15

* Passengers on the Qantas transfers bus between the International and Domestic Terminals on the morning of February 15

* In the domestic departures terminal of Sydney Airport before 10am on February 15

* Passengers on flight QF1433 from Sydney to ACT departing 10am on February 15

* In the domestic arrivals terminal of Canberra Airport, including baggage claim between 11am and 11.30am on February 15 

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