Measles in Australia (Update)
12 Feb 2014
An increased number of measles cases has been reported from the Northern Territory of Australia. The most recent case was a traveller returning to Darwin from the Philippines where an outbreak is ongoing. A total of 19 confirmed cases have been recorded by the health department in the extreme north region of the Northern Territory in the last three weeks. The outbreak has now spread to Katherine, about 300km south of Darwin.
Advice for Travellers
It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-15 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 6 months, while unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves may consider vaccination if thought to be at risk. Two doses of MMR vaccine are required to give adequate protection.