QUEENSLAND Health has issued a measles alert after a man travelled from Melbourne to southeast Queensland while infectious with the highly contagious virus.

The man left Tullamarine Airport on Jetstar flight JQ57 at 1.45pm on September 22, flying into the Brisbane International Airport.

He was in the South Brisbane area, around Kangaroo Point, before travelling to the Gold Coast on Sunday September 24, where he visited shops and cafes in Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads up to September 30.

Queensland Health said he also visited a medical centre at Broadbeach on September 26 and the Robina Hospital two days later.

The department’s Communicable Diseases Branch executive director Sonya Bennett said symptoms of measles included fever, fatigue, runny nose, a 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,” Dr Bennett said.

She warned measles could be potentially fatal with complications including pneumonia and encephalitis — inflammation of the brain.

Dr Bennett said symptoms usually started about 10 days after contact with an infectious person.

Queensland has so far recorded eight cases of measles this year, compared with Victoria’s 18.

“Measles is one of the most infectious of all communicable diseases and is spread by tiny droplets formed through coughing and sneezing,” Dr Bennett said. “It is very important to call the medical practice first if you think you might have measles so that staff can take precautions to avoid you spreading it to others.”

For more information: 13 HEALTH