Date issued: 18 November 2022 – update to Alert issued 17 June 2022
Issued by: Associate Professor Deborah Friedman, Deputy Chief Health Officer Communicable Disease
Issued to: Health professionals
Key messages
- Three new measles cases have been identified in Victoria in returned overseas travellers.
- Two of these related cases were infectious on their return flight from Singapore to Melbourne.
- Contact tracing is underway and passengers on this flight are being contacted.
- There have now been 5 cases of measles reported in Victoria since 1 January 2022.
- Be alert for measles in patients presenting with a fever at rash onset, particularly if they were overseas, or were in attendance at the below locations and time periods. Symptoms can develop 7-18 days post exposure.
- Offer free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to all people born during or since 1966 who do not have documentation that they have received two doses of measles containing vaccines. Vaccinate all individuals who are unsure of their vaccination history, regardless of Medicare status.
- There is no need to check serology prior to vaccination.
- Anyone planning overseas travel should ensure they have received vaccinations appropriate for travel.
- Anyone developing symptoms that may be consistent with measles should seek medical care, wearing a mask and calling ahead to make sure they can be isolated from others.
- Be aware that the initial symptoms of measles are similar to that of COVID-19 and influenza. If a patient has a negative COVID-19 test, but develops a rash, consider measles.
- Read the full Alert: New measles cases in Victoria
