South Australia’s measles outbreak has expanded again, with a ninth case confirmed for 2026 and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital among dozens of newly identified exposure locations across Adelaide.
The latest case involves a person in their 40s who is linked to the cluster associated with Brighton Secondary School.
That cluster has now grown to five confirmed cases, while South Australia’s total for the year has reached nine. ABC News
Patient spent more than 24 hours at Queen Elizabeth Hospital
SA Health has begun contact tracing after the infected person attended the Queen Elizabeth Hospital emergency department on Wednesday, 23 September.
The person was in the emergency department waiting area from approximately 5:15pm until 9:45pm, before remaining in the hospital’s fast-track area until about 8:15pm the following day.
That means the person was present in the emergency department environment for more than 24 hours while infectious. ABC News
Health authorities are now working through hospital records to identify patients, visitors and staff who may have been exposed.
South Australia’s Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier described the hospital exposure as concerning, particularly given the number of people who may have passed through the department during that period. ABC News
Latest patient hospitalised
The latest confirmed case has been admitted to hospital and was reported to be in a stable condition.
SA Health says the person had a known exposure to the first case linked to Brighton Secondary School.
The original case involved a teenager who had recently returned from overseas and tested positive earlier this month.
Three Brighton Secondary School students subsequently contracted measles, with the latest case bringing the wider linked cluster to five. ABC News
Exposure locations spread across Adelaide
The latest case has added a substantial number of locations to South Australia’s measles exposure list.
Sites identified during the broader outbreak have included locations in and around:
- the Queen Elizabeth Hospital
- Westfield Marion
- Harbour Town
- Morphett Vale
- Fulham Gardens
- pathology collection centres
- pharmacies
- Brighton Secondary School
- public transport
- Adelaide Entertainment Centre precinct events
SA Health continues to update the full exposure-site list as contact tracing progresses.
People should check the latest SA Health advice if they believe they may have attended an exposure location, as dates and times are critical and the list may continue to change. ABC News
Authorities warn more cases may emerge
Professor Spurrier said South Australia had not seen a measles cluster with this level of spread for some time.
She said the outbreak was occurring against a backdrop of increasing measles activity overseas, making imported cases and subsequent local transmission an ongoing concern. ABC News
Measles symptoms typically appear around 10 to 14 days after exposure, although the incubation period can vary.
That means people exposed at some of the more recent sites may not become unwell immediately.
What symptoms should you watch for?
Early measles symptoms can include:
- fever
- tiredness
- cough
- sore throat
- runny nose
- red or sore eyes
- sensitivity to light
A blotchy rash generally appears several days later, beginning around the head or face before spreading across the body. SA Health
Anyone who develops possible measles symptoms should telephone their GP or healthcare provider before attending in person.
This allows staff to arrange appropriate infection-control precautions and reduce the risk of exposing other patients. Healthdirect
Vaccination remains the strongest protection
Health authorities are again urging South Australians to check whether they have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.
Professor Spurrier said people born from 1966 onwards should check their vaccination history, particularly if they cannot confirm receiving two doses.
South Australia currently funds MMR vaccination for eligible adults born during or after 1966 who have not received two documented doses. SA Health
SA Health says measles is highly infectious but vaccine-preventable.
Two appropriately administered doses provide very high protection against the disease.
Outbreak now at nine cases
The latest infection brings South Australia’s 2026 measles total to nine cases, with five now associated with the Brighton Secondary School cluster.
Contact tracing remains underway and health authorities have warned that additional cases could still emerge over the coming days. ABC News
For people who may have attended an exposure location, the advice remains to monitor for symptoms, check vaccination records and seek medical advice if concerned.
Anyone who believes they may have measles should call ahead before visiting a doctor, emergency department or other healthcare facility.
BitWaves News will continue to follow South Australia’s measles outbreak and publish further updates as new information is confirmed.