Overview

• Authorities confirmed a case in Middlemount and listed exposure sites including Middlemount Gym on September 12–14 and 17–18, and the shopping centre, IGA and pharmacy on the morning of September 17.
• Queensland has recorded at least 12 cases in the past six weeks and at least 16 this year, with Cairns the largest cluster, three hospitalisations and a maternity ward exposure; select Cairns Hospital wards have introduced mask requirements.
• Health officials say recent infections are linked to overseas travel, including a Gold Coast case in a returned Bali traveller and cases tied to backpacker settings.
• People who were at the listed Middlemount locations should watch for fever, cough and sore eyes followed days later by a blotchy rash, with symptoms typically appearing 7–18 days after exposure, and seek medical care if unwell.
• Queensland Health is urging vaccination, noting that two MMR doses provide long-term protection and are about 98% effective, while one-year-old coverage sits at 90.35% below the 95% target.