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 man in his late teens, remains isolated and is being treated in hospital. The illness was acquired overseas.
This case is unrelated to the previous measles case, who recently attended the Melbourne Formula 1 GP while infectious.
Quotes attributable to Victoria's 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."
There is a confirmed case of measles in a person who may have been infectious whilst attending multiple public areas across metropolitan Melbourne between Thursday 21 March and Sunday 24 March 2019:
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 21 March | 5am - 8am | QF1543 Brisbane to Canberra |
| Thursday 21 March | 8am - 10am | QF809 Canberra to Melbourne |
| Thursday 21 March | 10am - 11am | Melbourne Airport - Terminal 1 |
| Thursday 21 March | 10.30am - 11.30am | Skybus Airport Shuttle to Melbourne Southern Cross Station |
| Thursday 21 March | 11am - 11.30am | Southern Cross Station - Bus Terminal |
| Thursday 21 March | Day | Nomads All National Hostel, Spencer Street Melbourne |
| Friday 22 March | Day | Nomads All National Hostel |
| Friday 22 March | 9pm- 9.30pm | 7-Eleven - 2 Spencer Street |
| Saturday 23 March | Day | Nomads All National Hostel |
| Saturday 23 March | 6pm - 7pm | Chemist Warehouse Paramount Centre, Bourke Street Melbourne |
| Sunday 24 March | Day | Nomads All National Hostel |
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.
Children or 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 are considered to be susceptible to measles. People who are immunocompromised are also at risk.
Clinical features of measles include prodromal fever, a severe cough, conjunctivitis and coryza, followed by a maculopapular rash starting on the face. Individuals, especially children, are typically unwell. The infectious period of patients with measles is roughly five days before, to four days after, the appearance of the rash.
Measles is highly infectious and can persist in the environment for up to two hours.
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 travel health tips .
Reviewed 26 March 2019