The number of measles cases in Far North Queensland has more than doubled, with warnings of more exposure sites including Cairns Hospital's maternity ward.

Four new cases have been confirmed across the region , including Queensland Health staff members, taking the total number of measles infections to seven.

Cairns Hospital confirmed a potentially infectious person spent more than eight hours in the maternity ward.

The hospital has issued an alert making masks compulsory for visitors and staff in the special care nursery, maternity unit, cancer care ward, cancer care centre and intensive care unit.

"While masks are not required in other areas, we strongly encourage everyone attending Cairns Hospital or any of our health facilities to wear one,"

a spokesperson said.

The initia

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