Health officials in New Zealand and Singapore are investigating two confirmed cases of measles that were detected in individuals who travelled on Singapore Airlines flight SQ281 from Hyderabad, India, to Auckland, New Zealand, with a transit stop at Singapore’s Changi Airport. Although the passengers were infectious during parts of their journey, investigations indicate they were already infected before entering Singapore’s transit area and are not connected to any local outbreaks.

Both passengers, who are from the same household, developed symptoms during or shortly after the flight. Singapore’s Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) confirmed that the pair remained within the transit zone in Changi and had not interacted with the general public, ruling out airport transmission. Health officials in New Zealand have begun contact tracing for other passengers, particularly those seated in rows 31 to 46, to monitor potential exposure.

Public Health Response

Authorities emphasise that measles remains a highly contagious disease, and international travel can facilitate its spread across borders. Both Singapore and New Zealand health agencies are urging travellers to ensure they are fully vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Vaccination is the most effective defense against measles, helping prevent outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations.

Travellers experiencing symptoms such as fever, rash, cough, red or watery eyes, or runny nose are advised to seek medical care promptly and to inform healthcare providers of their recent travel history. Health officials also recommend practising good hygiene and avoiding close contact with unwell individuals to reduce transmission risk.

Continued Surveillance

While no further linked cases have been reported in Singapore related to this incident, the measles virus continues to circulate in parts of the world where vaccination coverage is incomplete. The recent imported cases serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining high immunisation rates and robust surveillance systems, especially at international travel hubs.