Department of Health

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.

DateTimeLocationMonitor for onset of symptoms up to
Tuesday 20 May2:15pm to 3:30pmMonash Health Pathology (Public) Outpatient Clinics A, B, C, D (Audiology, Podiatry and Dental) 246 Clayton Road, Clayton VIC 3168Saturday 7 June
Monday 19 May3:15pm to 4:00pmMonash University Health Services Ground Floor, Campus Centre 21 Chancellors Walk, Clayton VIC 3168Friday 6 June
Sunday 18 May9:45am to 11:30amForest Hill Medical and Dental Centre 490/524 Springvale Rd, Forest Hill VIC 3131Thursday 5 June
Sunday 18 May11:30am to 3:40pmMonash Children’s Hospital Emergency Department 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton VIC 3168Thursday 5 June
Sunday 18 May11:30am to 12:00pmMonash Medical Centre Emergency Department (waiting room) 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton VIC 3168Thursday 5 June
Saturday 17 May9:45pm to 10:00pmMetro Trains - Frankston Line (outbound) Finders Street Station to Bentleigh StationWednesday 4 June
Saturday 17 May2:00pm to 3:00pmForest Hill Medical and Dental Centre 490/524 Springvale Rd, Forest Hill VIC 3131Wednesday 4 June
Saturday 17 May12:35pm to 1:30pmSubway 1 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 3000Wednesday 4 June
Saturday 17 May11:30am to 9:15pmContour Education Level 15/ 276 Flinders Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000Wednesday 4 June
Saturday 17 May10:35am to 11:40amMetro Trains - Frankston Line (inbound) Bentleigh Station to Flinders Street StationWednesday 4 June
Friday 16 May1:00pm to 10:00pmChadstone Shopping Centre – specifically MECCA (1:00pm to 10:00pm) and Lower ground food court (3:00pm to 3:35pm) 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148Tuesday 3 June
Friday 16 May11:00am to 1:00pmVolume Cafe Dandenong 108 David Street, Dandenong VIC 3175Tuesday 3 June
Friday 16 May9.30am to 11.00pmDandenong 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 3135Tuesday 3 June
Thursday 15 May11:25am to 12:50pmBelmore Road Medical Centre 364 Belmore Rd, Balwyn VIC 3103Monday 2 June
Thursday 15 May11:25am to 12:40pmSt Vincent’s Pathology Balwyn 364 Belmore Rd, Balwyn VIC 3103Monday 2 June
Thursday 15 May11:00am to 9:00pmChadstone Shopping Centre – specifically MECCA (11:00am to 8:00pm) and Kmart (8:00pm to 9:00pm) 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148Monday 2 June
Thursday 15 May7:40pm to 8:25pmWellington Village Shopping Centre – Rowville Pharmacy Amcal+ and Aldi 1100 Wellington Road, Rowville, VIC 3178Monday 2 June
Wednesday 14 May3:30pm to 4:25pmStud Park Shopping Centre – Chemist Warehouse and Big Al’s Pizza Stud Rd &, Fulham Road, Rowville Victoria 3178Sunday 1 June
Tuesday 13 May3:00pm to 3:50pmStud Park Shopping Centre – Australia Post Stud Rd &, Fulham Road, Rowville Victoria 3178Saturday 31 May
Tuesday 13 May2:30pm to 3:10pmManna Bakery 174 Warrigal Rd, Oakleigh VIC 3166Saturday 31 May
Tuesday 13 May11:30am to 12:15pmBurwood Brickworks Shopping Centre – Gami Chicken & Beer T18/70 Middleborough Rd, Burwood East VIC 3151Saturday 31 May
Monday 12 May4:00pm to 7:30pmMonash University Caulfield Campus Building H – Room 116 900 Dandenong Road, Caulfield East, VIC 3145Friday 30 May
Monday 12 May3:45pm to 4:25pm7-Eleven Caulfield Station 15-17 Sir John Monash Dr, Caulfield VIC 3162Friday 30 May
Monday 12 May10:00am to 11:05amWellington Village Shopping Centre – Qualitas Medical Practice and Rowville Pharmacy Amcal+ 1100 Wellington Road, Rowville, VIC 3178Friday 30 May
Sunday 11 May5:00pm to 6:10pmWurundjeri Walk Park - Playground 109 Orchard Grove Blackburn South VIC 3130Thursday 29 May
Sunday 11 May4:30pm to 5:15pmStud Park Shopping Centre – Coles and Daniels Donuts Stud Rd &, Fulham Road, Rowville Victoria 3178Thursday 29 May
Sunday 11 May11:30am to 2:00pmByblos Bar & Restaurant 18-38 Siddeley St, Docklands VIC 3005Thursday 29 May
Sunday 11 May11:20am to 11:50amWorld Trade Centre – Car park and car park lifts 38 Siddeley St, Docklands VIC 3005Thursday 29 May
Saturday 10 May12:00pm to 12:45pmBurwood Brickworks Shopping Centre – Gami Chicken & Beer T18/70 Middleborough Rd, Burwood East VIC 3151Wednesday 28 May
Saturday 10 May2:55pm to 3:55pmFrankston Hospital Emergency Department (waiting room) 2 Hastings Road, Frankston VIC 3199Wednesday 28 May
Saturday 10 May7:20pm to 8:10pmStud Park Shopping Centre –Woolworths Stud Rd &, Fulham Road, Rowville Victoria 3178Wednesday 28 May
Friday 9 May3:30pm to 4:35pmThe Glen Shopping Centre – PappaRich 235 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley VIC 3150Tuesday 27 May
Friday 9 May2:30pm to 4:00pmThe Glen Shopping Centre 235 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley VIC 3150Tuesday 27 May
Friday 9 May2:00pm to 2:40pmManna Bakery 174 Warrigal Rd, Oakleigh VIC 3166)Tuesday 27 May
Friday 9 May12:00pm to 2:30pmMonash University Caulfield Campus Building C – Room 303 900 Dandenong Road, Caulfield East, VIC 3145Tuesday 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.

An image showing a person with measles. The rash is across their neck and shoulders
Young child with measles
An image of a child with measles. The rash covers the lower half of his face including chin.

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 overseasExternal Link 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 – MeaslesExternal Link for further guidance on immunisation

Reviewed 27 May 2025

Health.vic

Contact details

Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Department of Health

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