By Caitlin Powell,Editor
Copyright dailymail
Urgent warning is issued after infection disease outbreak rocks backpacker hostel
Traveller contracted measles while overseas
They then visited Cairns while contagious
READ MORE: Urgent health warning issued for Aussie territory
By CAITLIN POWELL – NEWS REPORTER
Published: 15:22 BST, 11 September 2025 | Updated: 15:22 BST, 11 September 2025
A measles outbreak has been declared for Cairns following the detection of several cases of the infectious virus after an initial patient was identified last week.
It is understood the first case contracted measles in Bali at the end of August, before visiting Cairns while contagious.
A second traveller is believed to have contracted the disease while at Mad Monkeys backpackers. The Daily Mail has contacted the hostel for comment.
Cairns Public Health Unit director Jacqueline Murdoch said there could be a ‘couple of hundred’ close contacts.
‘This case was an unvaccinated contact of our case from last week and we do expect further cases in this outbreak,’ she told ABC News.
‘There’s a number of measles outbreaks at the moment in south-east Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia, including Bali.
‘If anyone is going to these places over the school holidays or in the upcoming months, please see your GP and make sure you have sufficient immunity to measles.
‘We don’t want anyone bringing measles back to Cairns and spreading it in our community.’
A measles outbreak has been declared for Cairns after the detection of several cases (stock image)
The highly contagious viral illness can lead to serious health complications such as pneumonia
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can lead to serious health complications including pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). It may also cause middle ear infection.
In some parts of the world, it remains a leading cause of death among children under five years old.
The measles virus is typically spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, with the particles lingering and potentially infecting anyone nearby.
Experts warn that simply being in the same room as an infectious person may suffice to contract the virus.
A person is generally considered infectious from shortly before symptoms appear until four days after the rash develops.
Members of the public in Cairns have been told to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles, particularly if they have been at three busy locations within the last week.
This applies to people who visited Mad Monkey Waterfront backpackers between September 6 and 10; Rufus Restaurant on September 6 between 3pm and 10.30pm; and Cairns GP Superclinic (formerly Cairns 24hr Medical Centre) on September 10 between 11.30am and 12pm.
A full list of exposure sites in Queensland can be found on the state government website.
Cairns Public Health Unit director Jacqueline Murdoch (pictured) has said there could be a ‘couple of hundred’ close contacts in Cairns
Measles usually starts as a flu-like illness with symptoms that include a fever, tiredness, a blotchy rash that spreads from head to the rest of the body, a severe cough, runny nose, white spots in the mouth and red or sore eyes.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service has urged anyone with symptoms to call their GP or emergency department – but not to wait in shared areas.
‘Measles can be a serious illness. Everyone should ensure they are vaccinated for measles, particularly if you are due to travel overseas,’ the service said.
People who have been vaccinated against or previously contracted measles are very unlikely to catch the disease even if they have been exposed.
Cairns has a vaccination rate of about 92 per cent for children under the age of five, and higher in children who are older, ABC reported.
A case of measles has also been confirmed in Townsville. The cases are not linked.
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Urgent warning is issued after infection disease outbreak rocks backpacker hostel
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