Residents in Melbourne’s western suburbs have been urged to check their vaccination status after a rise in measles cases in recent weeks.
Health authorities have confirmed four locally acquired measles cases in the western suburbs since February 25, with an investigation by the Western Public Health Unit (WPHU) linking three of them to likely transmission at a venue in Highpoint Shopping Centre.
As a result of the findings, authorities are calling on local residents to check their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination records and to take action to protect themselves.
WPHU Director Dr Finn Romanes said the four people diagnosed with measles since late last month had not travelled overseas.
“Although measles is typically seen in returning overseas travellers who are not fully vaccinated for measles, none of the cases have a history of overseas travel, indicating local transmission is occurring,” Dr Romanes said.
“Disease detective work between WPHU, the Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit and the Department of Health found that three cases crossed over in time and place at a venue in Highpoint in early February. The source case has not been identified and there may be more missing cases. The investigation has also found that a fourth case was then infected after attending a general practice waiting room at the same time as one of the three Highpoint cases, before measles was recognised.”
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that spreads easily from person to person, and can easily cause an infection in any susceptible person in the same room as an infectious case.
Common symptoms include fever, rash, conjunctivitis or cough, while measles can also lead to serious illnesses such as pneumonia, swelling of the brain, and even death.
Dr Romanes said the evidence of local transmission was concerning and a reminder of how quickly measles can spread when people were unvaccinated or under vaccinated.
He said while most people born in Australia received one dose of MMR vaccine during childhood, many have not received an important second dose.
“A second dose will provide additional protection and is safe and available for free”, Dr Romanes said.
“If you cannot find records of a second dose of MMR, you are almost certainly susceptible to measles and should seek a dose of MMR vaccine from your GP or immunisation provider now.”
A list of measles exposure sites can be viewed at: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/new-measles-case-in-victoria-4
