Victorians have been warned to stay alert for symptoms of measles after an overseas traveller infected with the viral illness visited multiple sites in the state.
The traveller flew from Singapore to Melbourne on Qantas Flight QF36 on June 25 and was out in the community for three days while infectious.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Urgent Melbourne measles warning
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They visited several sites in the state’s southwest, including a Coles in Colac, Toyworld in Warrnambool and a pub in Port Campbell.
Anyone who attended one of the exposure sites during the specified date and time has been urged by the state’s health department to monitor for symptoms for up to 18 days after the exposure.
There have been 11 cases of measles reported in Victoria since January 1, 2024.
The highly infectious viral illness can potentially lead to serious health complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation – which in turn can be fatal.
General Practitioner Doctor Ginni Mansberg said those not vaccinated against measles should be “very, very concerned”.
“If you’re unvaccinated, about 9 in 10 people who come in contact with measles without the protection of a vaccine will actually catch it and of those we think about 1 in 10 will end up in hospital with one of the complications,” she told Sunrise.
“If you’re vaccinated, I don’t think you need to worry as much.”
Symptoms include a fever, cough, sore throat and red watery eyes.
After about three to five days a rash will start to develop.
“It travels down the body. So it starts around the hairline, goes down your face, into the neck, into your trunk and then all the way down your arms and legs into your feet and hands,” Mansberg said.
“That kind of red, flat spot, occasionally they’re a little bit raised, and particularly those red watery eyes, that is what I would be really worried about, particularly if you’re not vaccinated.”
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is available for free on the National Immunisation Program for children aged 12 months and 18 months.
Anyone born during or after 1966 who has not received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine or anyone who is unsure of their vaccination status or does not have evidence of immunity to measles is also eligible for a free vaccine.
Mansberg urged parents who have not yet vaccinated their children to do so now.
“If you’ve not got around to getting your kids vaccinated, now is the time to go and make that appointment with your GP,” she said.
“If you’re an adult and you’re not sure if you’re vaccinated against measles you can get that checked by your doctor, it’s a simple blood test.”
Measles exposures sites in Victoria:
- Melbourne Airport – International Arrivals, Terminal 2 on Tuesday, June 25
- McDonald’s, 173 Mickleham Rd, Westmeadows on Tuesday, June 25
- Coles, Corner of Bromfield St and Queen St, Colac on Tuesday, June 25
- Toyworld Warrnambool, 164 Timor Street Warrnambool on Wednesday, June 26
- Friendly Grocer, 23 Lord St, Port Campbell on Thursday, June 27
- Port Campbell Hotel, 40 Lord St, Port Campbell on Friday, June 28
- Friendly Grocer, 23 Lord St Port Campbell on Friday, June 28
More information can be found on the department of health’s website.