Watch out for fever and rash, especially in returned travellers.
Healthcare professionals are being warned to watch out for symptoms of measles after another case of the highly infectious disease was reported in Victoria.
The Department of Health issued an updated alert on Monday adding a further case to the two reported on Friday.
Seven cases in the state have now been linked to outbreaks in southeast Asia, with the most recent three related to travel in Vietnam, the Victorian Department of Health said.
Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Evelyn Wong said there has been an increase in notified cases of measles in returned travellers across Australia in recent weeks.
“Healthcare professionals should be alert for measles in patients with fever and rash, particularly those who have recently returned from overseas or attended a listed exposure site during the specified period,” Dr Wong said in a health alert.
The latest patient brings the total number of measles cases to 20 in Victoria in the last 12 months. NSW and Queensland also released alerts last month about confirmed cases in the community.
Dr Wong said anyone who had been at one of the listed exposure sites from 13-16 January should monitor for symptoms up to 18 days after exposure and seek medical care if symptoms develop .
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Patients who present with symptoms of measles should be tested and notified to the Department of Health and blood samples should be taken in all suspected cases, Dr Wong said.
“There should be an especially high level of suspicion if they have travelled overseas or visited any of the sites listed … and are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated for measles.”
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, sore or red eyes, runny nose, feeling generally unwell, and a red maculopapular rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body. Symptoms develop seven to 18 days after exposure.
Dr Wong said patients who were not fully vaccinated against measles may be eligible for the MMR vaccine if they present within 72 hours of exposure.
“Anyone who is immunocompromised or pregnant and not fully vaccinated for measles may be eligible to receive normal human immunoglobulin (NHIG) if they present up to 144 hours (6 days) after close exposure to a measles case.”
Vietnam is experiencing a measles outbreak, with more than 38,000 suspected cases – including almost 8000 confirmed cases – and 13 deaths reported last year. Cases continue to rise as travellers flock to the country to celebrate Tết (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) which falls on 29 January 2025. Dr Wong said any overseas travel could lead to exposure to measles, with outbreaks also reported in Thailand, Indonesia and India, as well as Africa, Europe and the UK, the Middle East, and the US.