Measles Outbreak in Victoria: Health Authorities Issue Warning After Local Transmission
Image credits: Reuters: CDC
Victorian health authorities have issued a warning to the public after identifying two measles cases who likely acquired their infection in Melbourne. The department has released a list of exposure sites and advises anyone who was potentially exposed to monitor for symptoms. Health professionals are on alert for patients presenting with fever and rash. The two people travelled to multiple locations in Melbourne and Bendigo between February 19 and 26, starting at Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribyrnong. This was followed by several locations in Bendigo suburbs on February 19 and 20, then Keilor East Swimming Pool on February 22 and Chemist Warehouse in Airport West.
The last several exposure sites are medical facilities including the emergency departments of Bendigo Hospital on February 24 and the Royal Melbourne Hospital on February 25 and 26. The health department has published a full list of exposure sites and times on its website and advises anyone who attended the locations at the same date and time to monitor for symptoms. Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can spread from person to person and potentially lead to serious health complications including pneumonia and brain inflammation (encephalitis). The Victorian health department says key symptoms of measles are fever and rash, and people are considered infectious 24 hours prior to the onset of symptoms, until four days after the rash appears.
Other symptoms include a cough and sore eyes or conjunctivitis. Initial symptoms may be similar to the flu or COVID-19, the department said. All Victorians born during or after 1966 are eligible to receive a free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The health department says those most vulnerable to measles are anyone who is unvaccinated, babies under 12 months of age, immunocompromised people and adults who have not received two MMR vaccines in childhood. There have been eight measles cases identified in Victoria this year, and health authorities are urging people to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones.
The cases have had no history of overseas travel or known contact with other cases of measles, which means there is now local transmission of measles in the community. This has prompted health authorities to issue a warning to the public, particularly those who may be vulnerable to the illness. Adults who have not received two doses of the measles vaccine in childhood are among those most vulnerable to illness if exposed to the virus, authorities say. The measles virus is highly contagious and can spread quickly, making it essential for people to be aware of the symptoms and take steps to prevent the spread of the illness.
Here is a list of key points to note: * The exposure sites include Highpoint Shopping Centre, Keilor East Swimming Pool, and Chemist Warehouse in Airport West * The health department has published a full list of exposure sites and times on its website * People who attended the locations at the same date and time should monitor for symptoms * Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can spread from person to person * The key symptoms of measles are fever and rash * People are considered infectious 24 hours prior to the onset of symptoms, until four days after the rash appears * All Victorians born during or after 1966 are eligible to receive a free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine * The health department says those most vulnerable to measles are anyone who is unvaccinated, babies under 12 months of age, immunocompromised people and adults who have not received two MMR vaccines in childhood * There have been eight measles cases identified in Victoria this year * Health authorities are urging people to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones, particularly those who may be vulnerable to the illness, such as people with weakened immune systems.
measl authoriti warn melbourne transmission victoria symptom outbreak health local
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