Please see attached the CHO Alert in relation to a case of recently diagnosed measles and a number of exposure sites around Melbourne.
The case, a boy in his late teens, is being treated in isolation and is recovering in hospital. He attends RMIT in central Melbourne and also lives in the CBD.
This case is not related to the previous two reported cases in Melbourne.
Quotes attributable to Victoria's Acting Chief Health Officer, Dr Brett Sutton:
"Anyone who is unvaccinated is at highest risk of contracting measles. People need to have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine to be fully protected. Many adults have only received one vaccine against measles and therefore most cases are in this age group.
"Most people born before 1966 will have been exposed to measles in childhood, and therefore will be protected.
This means if you are an adult born in or after 1966 - especially if you are planning travel overseas - you may be susceptible and should contact your GP to get vaccinated - and a free Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine is available."
New measles cases in Victoria – additional case in Melbourne CBD
There has been an additional unrelated case of measles in a returned overseas traveller who may have been infectious whilst in multiple public areas in the Melbourne Central Business District between Tuesday 12 February and Wednesday 20 February 2019.
This is in addition to the two (2) previously reported cases of measles who may have been infectious whilst in and around the Point Cook and Southbank areas between Monday 4 February and 7 February inclusive.
| Date | Time | Location | Onset of symptoms up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 12 February to Wednesday 20 February 2019 | Day | RMIT Training Centre and surrounding area 251 Bourke St, Melbourne | 10 March 2019 |
| Tuesday 12 February to Friday 15 February 2019 | Day | Bus and Tram services between Toorak and RMIT Bourke Street | 5 March 2019 |
| Wednesday 13 February to Wednesday 20 February 2019 | Day/night | Ibis Hotel and surrounding area, 130 King St, Melbourne | 10 March 2019 |
| Sunday 17 February 2019 | Day | Multiple sites around Melbourne Central Shopping Centre including HOYTS Cinema (1.30pm session) | 7 March 2019 |
| Monday 18 February 2019 | Lunchtime | Emporium shopping centre food court | 8 March 2019 |
| Tuesday 19 February 2019 | Day/night | Multiple sites in the Melbourne CBD area between King and Spencer Streets and Collins and Lonsdale Streets. | 9 March 2019 |
| Wednesday 20 February 2019 | 3-5pm | 255 Bourke Street Melbourne | 10 March 2019 |
The last year has seen an increase in measles cases globally, including large outbreaks in Europe, Asia and the Americas. These recent Victorian cases have occurred as a result of travel to our region where measles remains a real risk. Measles vaccination must be considered for international travel, just like any other travel vaccine.
This is a timely reminder for individuals to check their vaccination records. Free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is now available for adults born during or since 1966 who do not have documented evidence of receiving two doses of a measles-containing vaccine or do not have documented evidence of immunity.
Further information about measles can be found at the Better Health .
All overseas travellers should be prepared for travel and be aware of health issues and measures to protect themselves from sickness while overseas. Further information can be found at the Better Health Channel's overseas travel health tips .
Reviewed 22 February 2019