Tasmania has recorded its first measles case in nearly three years, with health authorities urging people who visited specific Hobart locations last week to watch for symptoms.
An infected person was admitted to the Royal Hobart Hospital on Saturday after arriving in the city from Brisbane five days earlier.
The case marks Tasmania’s first confirmed measles infection since February 2023.
The individual travelled on Virgin flight VA1006 from Brisbane to Hobart on Monday evening, spending time at the airport, a city hostel and several retail locations before developing symptoms.
Health authorities have identified several exposure sites across the city, including Hobart Airport, the YHA hostel on Argyle Street and the Woolworths CBD store, which the person visited three times between Tuesday and Friday.
Anyone at the listed locations during the specified times should monitor for symptoms for up to 18 days, according to the Department of Health.
“If symptoms develop, individuals are advised to isolate and seek medical care as soon as possible,” the department said in a statement.
“People should call ahead to their GP or local emergency department to let them know they might have measles.”
The case may be linked to recent infections documented in Queensland over recent weeks.
Measles symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and cough, followed by a red, blotchy rash that typically spreads from the head downwards.
The virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The department said people at highest risk include those born in or after 1966 who haven’t received two doses of measles vaccine, children under 18 months and immunocompromised individuals.
The department said two doses of measles-containing vaccine provide strong protection against the virus.
The listed exposure sites no longer pose an ongoing risk to the public.
Locations of interest
Monday 17/11/25 — 4:50pm to 8:50pm
Virgin Flight VA1006, Brisbane to Hobart
Monday 17/11/25 — 8:50pm to 9:15pm
Hobart Airport Baggage Carousel area
Monday 17/11/25 — 9:15pm to 10pm
SkyBus Hobart Airport to Hobart City
Monday 17/11/25 to Saturday 22/11/25
Hobart YHA, 9 Argyle Street
Monday 17/11/25 11:25pm to Tuesday 18/11/25 12:30am
McDonalds Hobart, Corner of Argyle and Melville streets
Tuesday 18/11/25 — 3:15pm to 3:30pm
Woolworths Hobart CBD, 44 Argyle Street
Thursday 20/11/25 — 4pm to 4:15pm
Woolworths Hobart CBD, 44 Argyle Street
Friday 21/11/25 — 1:40pm to 2pm
Woolworths Hobart CBD, 44 Argyle Street
