Measles in Australia

21 Jul 2014

The health department of Victoria in the southeast of Australia has alerted General Practitioners and hospital emergency departments to an increase in measles cases in the state. Since the beginning of 2014, 57 cases have been reported; the highest number in 15 years. Of those, 16 have been reported since 1 May 2014. Measles was reported in two healthcare workers in Melbourne this week. Some of the measles cases were importations from overseas.

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.