Measles alert for NSW after a new case

A new measles alert was issued to NSW after a baby contracted the disease while he was traveling in Southeast Asia.

The girl, less than 12 months old, is recovering from the hospital after catching measles after returning to Sydney, NSW Health reported on Thursday.

The child was too young to receive routine vaccinations before traveling to several countries in the region.

This is the ninth case of measles detected at NSW since Christmas.

NSW Health urged everyone who went to the same places as the baby – including The Strand Arcade in Sydney's central business district, a pub in The Rocks, the NSW Art Gallery and several trains on January 16th, as well as several pubs, restaurants and shops in Campbelltown between January 18 and 20 – to monitor the symptoms until February 8th.

"If you develop symptoms, please call your doctor so you do not wait in the waiting room with other patients," Vicky Sheppeard said in a statement.

Symptoms include fever, sore eyes and cough, followed by a reddish rash.

Measles is highly contagious and spreads in the air by coughing or sneezing.

NSW Health urged all people traveling to Southeast Asia – who are experiencing a measles outbreak – to ensure that they are fully vaccinated before going abroad.