Date issued: 17 June 2022
Issued by: Associate Professor Deborah Friedman, Deputy Chief Health Officer Communicable Disease
Issued to: Health professionals
Key messages
- A new measles case has been identified in Victoria in a returned traveller from the United Kingdom and Italy.
- This is the first case of measles in Victoria since March 2020.
- Be alert for measles in patients presenting with a fever at rash onset, particularly if they were overseas or visited exposure sites 7-18 days prior to onset of illness.
- 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 and influenza. If a patient has a negative COVID test, but develops a rash, consider measles.
Read the full Alert: New measles case in Victoria
