
Health alert
- Status:
- Active
- Alert number:
- 250527
- Date issued:
- 26 May 2025 - Update to alert issued 24 May 2025
- Issued by:
- Dr Evelyn Wong, Chief Health Officer
- Issued to:
- Health professionals and the Victorian community
Key messages
- Three new locally acquired measles cases have been reported in Victoria.
- There is currently an increased risk of measles in greater Melbourne, in addition to the ongoing risk of measles importation in Victoria in travellers returning from overseas.
- These new cases visited a number of locations in greater Melbourne while infectious, including Chadstone Shopping Centre. People who have visited any of the listed exposure sites or spent time in greater Melbourne from early May should monitor for symptoms of measles and follow the instructions below.
- Measles is a highly infectious disease and can cause serious illness.
- Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others.
- Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are required for immunity.
- If you were born during or after 1966 and haven’t had two doses, or you don’t know, get vaccinated.
- The MMR vaccine is widely available at general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacies. No Medicare card is required to get a state funded MMR vaccine.
- Anyone planning to go overseas should make sure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including the MMR vaccine. Any overseas travel could lead to exposure to measles.
- Healthcare professionals should be alert for measles in any patients with fever and rash, irrespective of travel history.
- Clinicians should test, isolate and notify suspected measles cases immediately. Call the Department of Health via the Local Public Health Unit (1300 651 160).
- Offer the MMR vaccine to anyone without documented evidence of two doses.
- Free MMR vaccine is available under the National Immunisation Program and state-funded MMR program. No Medicare card is required to access free state funded MMR vaccine.
What is the issue?
Three new locally acquired measles cases have been reported in Victoria.
There is currently an increased risk of measles in greater Melbourne, with a number of public exposure sites identified. A significant number of recent measles cases have acquired their infection locally in Victoria. There is also an ongoing risk of measles being imported into Victoria by travellers returning from overseas or interstate.
Measles is a highly infectious disease that can lead to uncommon but serious complications, such as pneumonia and brain inflammation (encephalitis).
Measles vaccination coverage rates in Australia, while comparatively high, have declined to below the 95% national target since the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of recent cases have arisen in people who have not had two documented doses of the MMR vaccine.
Global case numbers of measles are rising and any overseas travel could lead to exposure to measles. There are currently outbreaks reported in multiple countries and regions, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Africa, Europe and the United Kingdom (UK), the Middle East, and North America.
A number of populations in Victoria are susceptible to measles, including anyone who is unvaccinated, infants under 12 months of age, immunocompromised people and adults who were born between 1966 and 1992 who may not have received two MMR vaccines in childhood.
Active public exposures sites in Victoria for recent cases are listed in the table below.
Date | Time | Location | Monitor for onset of symptoms up to |
Tuesday 20 May | 2:15pm to 3:30pm | Monash Health Pathology (Public) Outpatient Clinics A, B, C, D (Audiology, Podiatry and Dental) 246 Clayton Road, Clayton VIC 3168 | Saturday 7 June |
Monday 19 May | 3:15pm to 4:00pm | Monash University Health Services Ground Floor, Campus Centre 21 Chancellors Walk, Clayton VIC 3168 | Friday 6 June |
Sunday 18 May | 9:45am to 11:30am | Forest Hill Medical and Dental Centre 490/524 Springvale Rd, Forest Hill VIC 3131 | Thursday 5 June |
Sunday 18 May | 11:30am to 3:40pm | Monash Children’s Hospital Emergency Department 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton VIC 3168 | Thursday 5 June |
Sunday 18 May | 11:30am to 12:00pm | Monash Medical Centre Emergency Department (waiting room) 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton VIC 3168 | Thursday 5 June |
Saturday 17 May | 9:45pm to 10:00pm | Metro Trains - Frankston Line (outbound) Finders Street Station to Bentleigh Station | Wednesday 4 June |
Saturday 17 May | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Forest Hill Medical and Dental Centre 490/524 Springvale Rd, Forest Hill VIC 3131 | Wednesday 4 June |
Saturday 17 May | 12:35pm to 1:30pm | Subway 1 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 3000 | Wednesday 4 June |
Saturday 17 May | 11:30am to 9:15pm | Contour Education Level 15/ 276 Flinders Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 | Wednesday 4 June |
Saturday 17 May | 10:35am to 11:40am | Metro Trains - Frankston Line (inbound) Bentleigh Station to Flinders Street Station | Wednesday 4 June |
Friday 16 May | 1:00pm to 10:00pm | Chadstone Shopping Centre – specifically MECCA (1:00pm to 10:00pm) and Lower ground food court (3:00pm to 3:35pm) 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148 | Tuesday 3 June |
Friday 16 May | 11:00am to 1:00pm | Volume Cafe Dandenong 108 David Street, Dandenong VIC 3175 | Tuesday 3 June |
Friday 16 May | 9.30am to 11.00pm | Dandenong Hospital – specifically Ward West 3 (9:30am to 11:30am), Ward South-West 4 (12:30pm and 2:00pm) Emergency Department (3:00pm to 11:00pm) 135 David Street, Dandenong VIC 3135 | Tuesday 3 June |
Thursday 15 May | 11:25am to 12:50pm | Belmore Road Medical Centre 364 Belmore Rd, Balwyn VIC 3103 | Monday 2 June |
Thursday 15 May | 11:25am to 12:40pm | St Vincent’s Pathology Balwyn 364 Belmore Rd, Balwyn VIC 3103 | Monday 2 June |
Thursday 15 May | 11:00am to 9:00pm | Chadstone Shopping Centre – specifically MECCA (11:00am to 8:00pm) and Kmart (8:00pm to 9:00pm) 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148 | Monday 2 June |
Thursday 15 May | 7:40pm to 8:25pm | Wellington Village Shopping Centre – Rowville Pharmacy Amcal+ and Aldi 1100 Wellington Road, Rowville, VIC 3178 | Monday 2 June |
Wednesday 14 May | 3:30pm to 4:25pm | Stud Park Shopping Centre – Chemist Warehouse and Big Al’s Pizza Stud Rd &, Fulham Road, Rowville Victoria 3178 | Sunday 1 June |
Tuesday 13 May | 3:00pm to 3:50pm | Stud Park Shopping Centre – Australia Post Stud Rd &, Fulham Road, Rowville Victoria 3178 | Saturday 31 May |
Tuesday 13 May | 2:30pm to 3:10pm | Manna Bakery 174 Warrigal Rd, Oakleigh VIC 3166 | Saturday 31 May |
Tuesday 13 May | 11:30am to 12:15pm | Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre – Gami Chicken & Beer T18/70 Middleborough Rd, Burwood East VIC 3151 | Saturday 31 May |
Monday 12 May | 4:00pm to 7:30pm | Monash University Caulfield Campus Building H – Room 116 900 Dandenong Road, Caulfield East, VIC 3145 | Friday 30 May |
Monday 12 May | 3:45pm to 4:25pm | 7-Eleven Caulfield Station 15-17 Sir John Monash Dr, Caulfield VIC 3162 | Friday 30 May |
Monday 12 May | 10:00am to 11:05am | Wellington Village Shopping Centre – Qualitas Medical Practice and Rowville Pharmacy Amcal+ 1100 Wellington Road, Rowville, VIC 3178 | Friday 30 May |
Sunday 11 May | 5:00pm to 6:10pm | Wurundjeri Walk Park - Playground 109 Orchard Grove Blackburn South VIC 3130 | Thursday 29 May |
Sunday 11 May | 4:30pm to 5:15pm | Stud Park Shopping Centre – Coles and Daniels Donuts Stud Rd &, Fulham Road, Rowville Victoria 3178 | Thursday 29 May |
Sunday 11 May | 11:30am to 2:00pm | Byblos Bar & Restaurant 18-38 Siddeley St, Docklands VIC 3005 | Thursday 29 May |
Sunday 11 May | 11:20am to 11:50am | World Trade Centre – Car park and car park lifts 38 Siddeley St, Docklands VIC 3005 | Thursday 29 May |
Saturday 10 May | 12:00pm to 12:45pm | Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre – Gami Chicken & Beer T18/70 Middleborough Rd, Burwood East VIC 3151 | Wednesday 28 May |
Saturday 10 May | 2:55pm to 3:55pm | Frankston Hospital Emergency Department (waiting room) 2 Hastings Road, Frankston VIC 3199 | Wednesday 28 May |
Saturday 10 May | 7:20pm to 8:10pm | Stud Park Shopping Centre –Woolworths Stud Rd &, Fulham Road, Rowville Victoria 3178 | Wednesday 28 May |
Friday 9 May | 3:30pm to 4:35pm | The Glen Shopping Centre – PappaRich 235 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley VIC 3150 | Tuesday 27 May |
Friday 9 May | 2:30pm to 4:00pm | The Glen Shopping Centre 235 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley VIC 3150 | Tuesday 27 May |
Friday 9 May | 2:00pm to 2:40pm | Manna Bakery 174 Warrigal Rd, Oakleigh VIC 3166) | Tuesday 27 May |
Friday 9 May | 12:00pm to 2:30pm | Monash University Caulfield Campus Building C – Room 303 900 Dandenong Road, Caulfield East, VIC 3145 | Tuesday 27 May |
Anyone who has attended a listed exposure site during the specified times above should monitor for symptoms and seek medical care if symptoms develop for up to 18 days after the exposure and follow the recommendations below.
In addition, anyone who presents with signs and symptoms compatible with measles should be tested and notified to the Department of Health immediately. There should be an especially high level of suspicion if they have travelled overseas or visited any of the sites listed above and are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated for measles.
Who is at risk?
Anyone born during or since 1966 who does not have documented evidence of having received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or does not have documented evidence of immunity, is at risk of measles. This is also known as being susceptible to measles.
Unvaccinated infants are at particularly high risk of contracting measles. Victorians born between 1966 and 1992 may not have received two doses of vaccine, which are required to provide immunity.
Young infants, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system are at increased risk of serious complications from measles.
Symptoms and transmission
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, sore or red eyes (conjunctivitis), runny nose, and feeling generally unwell, followed by a red maculopapular rash. The rash usually starts on the face before spreading down the body. Symptoms can develop between 7 to 18 days after exposure.
Initial symptoms of measles may be similar to those of COVID-19 and influenza. If a symptomatic person tests negative for COVID-19 and/or influenza but develops a rash, they should be advised to continue isolating and be tested for measles.
People with measles are considered infectious from 24 hours prior to the onset of initial symptoms until 4 days after the rash appears. Measles is highly infectious and can spread through airborne droplets or contact with nose or throat secretions, as well as contaminated surfaces and objects. The measles virus can stay in the environment for up to 2 hours.
Figures: Example of a typical measles rash
Recommendations
For the general public
- Anyone who has attended a listed exposure site during the specified date and time or spent time in greater Melbourne from early May should monitor for symptoms and seek medical care if symptoms develop for up to 18 days after the exposure.
- Anyone who attended a listed exposure site and is not fully vaccinated for measles may be eligible to receive the MMR vaccine if they present within 72 hours (3 days) of exposure. Anyone who is immunocompromised or pregnant and not fully vaccinated for measles should seek medical review if within 6 days of exposure to a measles case.
- Anyone who develops symptoms of measles should seek medical care and testing for measles. Call the health service beforehand to advise that you may have been exposed to measles and wear a face mask.
- Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others. 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 born during or since 1966. Vaccination is available from a wide range of immunisation providers in Victoria including GPs, pharmacies, local councils, Aboriginal Health Services.
- There are growing measles outbreaks around the world, and anyone travelling should make sure they have received appropriate travel vaccinations, including the MMR vaccine.
For health professionals
- For persons who have attended an exposure site, offer MMR vaccine within 72 hours of measles exposure to prevent illness. Normal human immunoglobulin (NHIG) within 6 days may be suitable for young infants, pregnant or immunocompromised people who are not fully vaccinated.
- Be alert for measles in patients with fever, cough, conjunctivitis and rash, especially if unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unsure of MMR status.
- Anyone who presents with signs and symptoms compatible with measles should be tested, isolated and notified to the Department of Health immediately, by calling 1300 651 160 and connecting to the relevant Local Public Health Unit.
- Test for measles via PCR and serology in any patients with compatible symptoms. Label PCR samples as ‘urgent’ and sent to VIDRL via your primary pathology provider.
- Minimise the risk of measles transmission within your practice/department/community:
- avoid keeping patients with fever and rash in shared waiting areas (send to a separate room).
- if measles is suspected, give the patient a single use, fitted face mask and isolate under airborne precautions until a measles diagnosis can be excluded.
- leave all rooms that were used to assess the suspected case vacant for at least 30 minutes after the consultation.
- if returning home, patients should isolate at home until test results are available.
- Ensure on time vaccination for infants under the National Immunisation Program, at 12 months of age MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) and 18 months of age MMRV (measles-mumps-rubella-varicella)
- Offer MMR vaccine to people born during or after 1966 who do not have documented evidence of receiving two doses of a measles-containing vaccine or documented evidence of immunity.
- Serology is not required before vaccinating.
- People born during or since 1966 who are not Medicare eligible can also receive the free MMR vaccine. Refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook for further guidance on immunisation
Reviewed 27 May 2025