Health authorities in Australia have sounded the alarm after a traveller returning from Bali tested positive for measles, sparking concerns in communities south of Brisbane and reinforcing the urgent need for vaccination. The highly contagious viral illness, once considered largely under control in many developed countries, is making a troubling comeback in Australia with cases rising sharply in Queensland and Western Australia.

The alert follows an infected passenger’s arrival on Jetstar flight JQ60 into Brisbane on August 19, and subsequent visits to multiple public venues in Yamanto and Boonah while unknowingly infectious. While those locations are no longer considered a risk, people who were present during the identified times are being urged to monitor for symptoms for up to 18 days.

The infected individual landed at Brisbane Airport at 5:40 a.m. on August 19 before moving through the terminal until around 7:10 a.m. Later that day, they visited an Aldi supermarket in Yamanto, and in the following days, they attended a pharmacy and the Boonah Hospital emergency department.

Dr. Catherine Quagliotto, Public Health Physician at West Moreton Health, explained that while the virus does not remain in the environment long after an infected person has left, the exposure risk during the infectious window was significant. “Early signs can include fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes, followed a few days later by a distinctive red, blotchy rash,” she said. Symptoms typically develop 7–10 days after exposure but can take as long as 18 days to appear.

Queensland Health has urged anyone who develops symptoms to stay home, seek testing, and contact their doctor or hospital ahead of arrival to avoid spreading the virus further.

Western Australia Also on Measles High Alert

The Brisbane case comes as Western Australia reports a worrying spike in measles. WA Health confirmed 13 cases in July and August 2025, including four linked to overseas travel and nine acquired locally. This represents a dramatic rise compared to just six cases across the entire state in 2024.

Dr. Paul Armstrong, Director of the Communicable Diseases Control Directorate, emphasized that vaccination remains the cornerstone of protection. “Measles is highly infectious and can cause serious illness, particularly in babies and young children, and often requires hospitalisation and, in rare cases, blindness or even death,” he said.

The outbreak is closely tied to international travel. Popular holiday destinations such as Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and other parts of South and Southeast Asia continue to report high numbers of measles cases, making travellers a key factor in reintroducing the virus to Australia.

Why Measles Is So Concerning?

Measles is far more than just a childhood illness. Caused by a virus that spreads through airborne droplets from coughing and sneezing, it is one of the most contagious diseases known. A single infected person can pass it on to up to 90% of unvaccinated people in close contact.

While most individuals recover within a week of developing the characteristic rash, measles can lead to severe complications. These include pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), hearing loss, and in rare but devastating cases, death. Pregnant women, infants, and people with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable.

How Recognize Symptoms of Measles?

Measles progresses in stages. The first signs usually resemble a common cold: fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Within a few days, small white spots may appear inside the mouth, followed by the hallmark red, blotchy rash that typically spreads from the face downward across the body.

Crucially, people are contagious even before the rash develops—about five to six days before symptoms appear and up to four days after. This makes containing outbreaks extremely challenging, particularly in busy international hubs like airports.

Vaccination Is The Best Defense And Prevention

Australia maintains one of the world’s strongest vaccination programs, with more than 93% of children over age five fully immunised against measles. The standard schedule includes two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, given at 12 months and 18 months of age.

However, gaps remain. Adults born after 1965 who missed doses, migrants from countries with weaker immunisation programs, and people who are immunocompromised represent at-risk groups. The Australian government continues to offer free catch-up vaccines for adults under 20 and for people arriving for humanitarian reasons.

“Adults aged between 30 to 60 years should get vaccinated if they do not have evidence of two doses of a measles vaccine,” Dr. Armstrong advised. He also noted that infants as young as six months can receive the vaccine early if traveling to high-risk areas.

Importantly, there is no booster requirement for those who have already had two doses, and people who have previously contracted measles are considered immune for life.

The resurgence of measles in Australia mirrors trends worldwide. After years of steady progress toward elimination, the World Health Organization has reported rising cases across Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. Pandemic-related disruptions to immunisation programs have left millions of children unprotected, fueling outbreaks in countries that had previously made strides against the disease.

Travel plays a key role in this resurgence. With international tourism rebounding strongly after COVID-19, Australians returning from popular destinations like Bali are now at increased risk of both contracting and importing measles.

Authorities in Queensland and WA are working swiftly to contain the spread. Public alerts about exposure sites, targeted communication campaigns, and free vaccine programs are all part of a coordinated response. Health professionals emphasize that personal responsibility—staying home when sick, seeking timely medical advice, and checking vaccination status—is equally critical.

Dr. Quagliotto put it simply: “Vaccination offers the best protection for both individuals and the community.”

What Should Travelers Be Cautious About?

If you’re planning travel to measles affected regions or even in general, consult your doctor about vaccination well in advance. Parents with young children should be aware that infants may need an accelerated vaccination schedule.

On return, any flu-like symptoms coupled with rash development should prompt immediate medical attention. Always call ahead before visiting a healthcare facility, and wear a mask to prevent spreading the virus.

The measles alert south of Brisbane is a reminder that even in countries with high vaccination rates, the virus can re-emerge through international travel. With Australia now reporting more cases in 2025 than in recent years combined, vigilance is essential.

Andhra Pradesh may soon follow Australia's steps and ban social media for teenagers under the age of 16 in the state.

Nara Lokesh, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Real Time Governance and Human Resources Development Minister for Andhra Pradesh, told Bloomberg at the World Economic Forum 2026 Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland: "As a state, we are studying Australia’s under-16 law, and yes, I believe we need to create a strong legal enactment.

"Youngsters below a certain age should not be on such platforms, as they do not fully understand the content they are exposed to. Thus, a strong legal framework may be required."

Also Read: Chikungunya Spreads Across Tamil Nadu: All You Need To Know

TDP national spokesperson Deepak Reddy supported Lokesh's claim and stated: "Children below a certain age are not emotionally mature enough to comprehend the negative and harmful content that is freely available online. That is why the Andhra government is studying global best practices and examining Australia's under-16 social media law."

If implemented successfully, Andhra Pradesh would be the first Indian state to issue the ban and could pave the way for other states to consider such policies. State officials are yet to clarify when the rule will be implemented and if any fines will be attached to it.

Is Any Other State Considering a Ban?

The petition was to emphasize on the awareness of the stakeholders and parental windows in the device that could control the menace of pornographic material which is easily accessible to children. The court asked Centre to order internet provider service companies to provide a 'Parental Window' to prevent children from accessing such content.

The Madurai Bench of Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan told the authorities of child rights to accelerate this matter. The bench also noted that children could only be prevented from consuming such content only if there is a parental control app on the device.

Judges also noted that parents have a higher responsibility in this, as children are highly vulnerable to such content.

READ MORE: Australia Social Media Ban Explained: Why Government Plans to Restrict Accounts of Under-16s

What Did Australia Do?

To protect the mental health of children, Australia has successfully banned several social media apps including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, and streaming platforms Kick and Twitch.

YouTube Kids, Google Classroom and WhatsApp are not covered under this rule as they do not fit those criteria.

While anyone under 16 will be still able to watch most of the content without logging in, however, they cannot have an account on it. Critics are urging the government to widen the ban to include online gaming platforms such as Roblox and Discord, which are currently not covered.

The government says that it will also reduce the negative impact of social media's "design features that encourage [young people] to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing".

A government study which was commissioned in 2025 found that 96% of children aged 10 to 15 used social media, and that seven out of 10 of them were exposed to harmful content. These content were misogynistic and violent in its nature, furthermore, content promoted eating disorders and suicide.

Children and parents will not be punished for infringing the ban, instead, social media companies will face fines of up to A$49.5m, which is equivalent of US$32m for serious or repeated breaches.

The Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH) has issued a statewide alert across Tamil Nadu due to a sudden uptick in chikungunya cases in multiple cities.

Cases have been reported across Chennai, Villupuram, Tenkasi, Theni, Cuddalore, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Ariyalur. It remains unknown how many people have been affected and if any deaths have occurred.

Caused by the chikungunya virus, chikungunya virus disease (CHIKVD) is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus) to humans. The illness usually starts with flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, joint pain and rashes.

Also Read: This Is Why Emmanuel Macron Wore Sunglasses At Davos

Typically, the illness has no clear no symptoms, especially in children and can easily be misdiagnosed as dengue and Zika. While there are no specific antiviral treatments for chikungunya virus infections, medications such as antipyretic and analgesic medications (such as paracetamol) for fever and pain can be used to ease the pain.

Most patients recover completely from the infection, but occasional cases of eye, heart, and neurological complications have been previously been reported with CHIKV infections.

What Are Tamil Nadu Officials Doing To Contain Cases?

Authorities have also emphasized that all government and private hospitals as well as diagnostic laboratories, need to timely report cases to ensure the infection does not spread . Any delay in reporting, officials noted, could allow the virus to spread rapidly within communities.

On the local level, district entomologists and health inspectors have been told to eliminate stagnant water in artificial containers and conduct weekly mass-cleaning drives in high-risk areas.

The DPH has also ordered that all designated dengue and chikungunya wards in hospitals be kept mosquito-free, with adequate bed strength and sufficient mosquito nets for patients.

READ MORE: What Is Chikungunya And How Can It Be Prevented?

Can Chikungunya Spread Easily?

Cases typically emerge mostly in the Americas, Asia and Africa and occasionally in Europe. However, nearly 30,000 CHIKVD cases have been recorded, including 83 associated deaths from 12 countries namely from China, Singapore, Pakistan, France, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, marking it as one of the biggest outbreaks in the world.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. As he spoke on the European solidarity amid US President Donald Trumps' treat to annex Greenland, something else seemed to take the attention away. Macron was seen wearing a pair of blue-tinted mirrored aviator sunglasses. The surprising part was that he wore it indoors. French media had already reported that he was seen wearing sunglasses since last week.

Trump also mocked Emmanuel Macron’s sunglasses during his speech at Davos, joking, “what the hell happened?” regarding the French president’s appearance.

Also Read: Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: After Two West Bengal Cases, Tests On Bats Show No Active Infection

Why Was Emmanuel Macron Wearing Sunglasses Indoors?

On Monday, Macron said that reflective glasses were to disguise a minor eye injury that he had sustained after having been spotted with a heavily bloodshot right eye. "Apologies for the shades, but I have to wear them for a while". He further said that it is for a "mild eye condition".

Last week, when he appeared at a military event in southern France with red eye, while addressing the troop, he said, it was "totally benign" and "completely insignificant", he also added, "Please pardon the unsightly appearance of my eye". He also joked about it, calling it "l'oiel du tigre" or the "eye of the tiger". This was a reference to rock band Survivor's song used in the 1982 boxing moving Rocky III. He said, "For those who get the reference, it is a sign of determination".

What Happened To Macron's Eyes?

As per the French media reports, Macron appeared to have a sub-conjunctival hemorrhage. This means there is a broken blood vessel in his eyes. It is harmless, painless, and does not affect the vision. It also cannot cause permanent injury to the eye, and clears within a fortnight.

Macron Wears Sunglasses Indoor: Is It Absolutely Necessary?

Medical doctor and media commentator Jimmy Mohamed told French broadcaster RTL that Macron "opted for this style for aesthetic reasons, because he is a public figure. However, sunglasses are not necessary to protect vision in this condition. Some people wear it to avoid attracting attention.

"Some people might think he's ill, so to avoid being photographed in that state, he decided to wear sunglasses. The glasses protect his image, but not really his eye," said Jimmy Mohamed.

Read: Why Can't I Hear When I Take My Glasses Off?

How Have Netizen Reacted To Macron Wearing Sunglasses?

He has been called 'kéké', which is a French slang for a show off. Others also joked about him being a "cyborg" or emulating Hollywood actor Top Cruise in Top Gun, the 1986 movie that made wearing aviators a fashion statement.

What Is Sub-conjunctival hemorrhage?

Sub-conjunctival hemorrhage or SCH is a common ocular condition defined by extravasation of blood beneath the conjunctiva, producing a sharply demarcated red patch on the scleral surface. The condition is usually painless and does not impair vision. It usually resolves within 1 to 2 weeks, making it a frequent but benign cause of ocular redness.

It usually happens by a sudden pressure increase from coughing, sneezing, vomiting, or heavy lifting. This could rupture tiny eye blood vessels, or from eye trauma like rubbing or foreign bodies, and can be linked to risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, blood thinners, or even childbirth in newborns.