Media Release
Northern Territory Government
NT Health Measels alert for the NT
25 July 2025
The NT Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is advising Territorians to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after a confirmed case was detected at Cairns Base Hospital in Queensland. They had travelled through Darwin and Alice Springs while infectious.
The case is an adult tourist, who likely acquired the infection in Bali, Indonesia before travelling to Darwin. There have been measles outbreaks in multiple countries across South-East Asia. Anyone travelling should ensure they are up to date with all vaccinations, including measles.
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, which is spread by breathing in airborne droplets from the coughs and sneezes of people infected with the disease.
The Cairns Public Health Unit and NT CDC have established that the case was present at the following locations while infectious:
Thursday 17 July:
· Ethical Adventures Litchfield National Park tour (all day)
Friday 18 July:
· AAPT Kings Jabiru tour (depart 18, returning 19)
· Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Jabiru, restaurant, approx. 6-8pm
Sunday 20 July:
· Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, 1-3pm
· Darwin International Airport, check-in and departures, 3.30-4pm
· Qantas flight QF1960 from Darwin to Alice Springs
· Alice Springs Airport, arrivals, 7-7.30pm
Wednesday 23 July:
· Alice Springs Airport, check-in and departures, 12-12.30pm
· Air North flight TL361 from Alice Springs to Cairns
The NT CDC will contact people identified as contacts. Anyone who attended these locations during these times should monitor for symptoms including fever, sore or red eyes, runny nose and cough, followed by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the face and neck over the rest of the body. Symptoms can take up to 18 days after exposure to develop.
Some people may experience complications from measles infections, including ear infections, pneumonia, and in rare cases infection of the brain (encephalitis). Children under five years old and adults are more likely to experience complications.
There have been 85 cases of measles detected across Australia since 1 January 2025. The NT CDC reminds all Territorians to check that they are up to date with their vaccinations. Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.
The vaccine is safe and effective, and available from your GP, local health centre, Aboriginal health clinic, and vaccinating pharmacies.
Children less than 12 months old can have their first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MMR) up to three months early if they are travelling to countries with measles outbreaks. Discuss all travel vaccines with your GP.
Contact the NT CDC to discuss concerns or questions about measles, the measles vaccine, or to check your vaccination status on (08) 8922 8044.
