Victoria records highest measles case numbers in a decade amid outbreak
While people often brush off measles as just a common illness, it's now at its highest level in a decade in one Australian state.
So far this year, 23 cases have been recorded in Victoria, and that's more than the total number detected in all of 2024.
The latest case prompted another health alert from the Victorian Department of Health on Monday, after a returned traveller from Pakistan tested positive.
The returned traveller flew into Melbourne from Dubai on Emirates flight EK408 last Thursday (April 24), with several locations now identified as public exposure sites.
These sites include Melbourne Airport, Westfield Fountain Gate, ALDI Kilmore, Coles Kilmore, Kilmore District Hospital Urgent Care Centre, Kilmore Library and Pet Stock Kilmore.
Victorian Department of Health urges anyone who visited these locations to monitor for symptoms, which can develop between seven to 18 days after exposure.
Common symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore or red eyes, and feeling generally unwell.
It is then followed by a red, blotchy rash that typically starts on the face before spreading down the body.
'There is currently an increased risk of measles in the greater Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, with a number of public exposure sites identified,' said Tarun Weeramanthri, the department's chief health officer.
He said an increasing number of infections are now being acquired locally in Victoria.
Emergency physician Stephen Parnis told Nine's Today program this is the first time in a decade that local transmission of measles has occurred.
Weeramanthri warned measles is highly infectious and can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation (encephalitis).
While vaccination is key to protection, coverage in Australia has dropped below the 95 per cent national target since the COVID-19 pandemic.
'Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others,' Weeramanthri said. 'Check if you're protected against measles today.'
'If you haven't had two doses, or you don't know, visit your GP or pharmacy for a catch-up MMR vaccine.'
The MMR vaccine is free for all Victorians.
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