Melbourne is grappling with a growing measles outbreak linked to international travel, prompting health authorities to issue warnings and list multiple exposure sites across the city. The Victorian Department of Health confirmed two new cases linked to recent travel to Vietnam, adding to a concerning trend of rising measles cases among returned travelers in Australia.
More cases of a highly infectious viral illness have been reported in Melbourne , with multiple exposure sites listed across the city. Further cases of measles linked to overseas travel have been reported in Melbourne amid a growing outbreak of the highly infectious viral illness in parts of Asia. The Victorian Department of Health on Friday said there were two new cases of measles in the state's capital, with both residents out in the community while infectious this week.
They attended multiple locations across East Melbourne, Collingwood, Abbotsford and Bentleigh between January 13 and 16, with those places now listed as exposure sites. Both cases are linked to travel to Vietnam, with the department noting that a further four recent Victorian measles cases (are) also connected to travel in this region. 'There has been an increase in notified cases of measles in returned travellers across Australia in recent weeks,' a department statement said.'Growing outbreaks have been reported internationally including in Vietnam and Thailand.' In Victoria, 19 cases of measles - which can lead to serious complications including brain inflammation and pneumonia - have been recorded since the start of 2024. 'At the present time, any overseas travel could lead to exposure to measles, with outbreaks also reported in areas outside of South East Asia including India, Africa, Europe and the UK, the Middle East, and the USA,' the department said. The current list of exposure sites includes the Powlett Reserve Tennis Centre in East Melbourne, 88 Langridge Street in Collingwood, Secondipity Roasters in Collingwood, Minh Phat Asian Supermarket in Abbotsford, Aldi and Woolworths in Abbotsford and SWOP Melbourne in Collingwood. Other sites include Goodbyes in Collingwood, Spaces Collingwood, Hanashi Japanese Restaurant in East Melbourne, Advantage Chesterville Pharmacy in Bentleigh and CorePlus Collingwood. 'People who have attended the listed exposure sites during the specified times on the 15 and 16 January should contact their GP as soon as possible (today) to discuss the need for post-exposure prophylaxis,' the statement said. 'Anyone who has attended a listed exposure site from the 13 to the 14 January during the specified times should monitor for symptoms and seek medical care if symptoms develop for up to 18 days after the exposure.People who attended listed exposure sites during specified times on 15 or 16 January should contact their GP as soon as possible'Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, sore or red eyes (conjunctivitis), runny nose, and feeling generally unwell, followed by a red maculopapular rash. 'The rash usually starts on the face before spreading down the body. Symptoms can develop between seven to 18 days after exposure.' The department said the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine'provides safe and effective protection against measles'. 'Anyone planning overseas travel should make sure they have received appropriate travel vaccinations, including MMR vaccine. This is especially important for anyone planning on travelling to South-East Asia including Vietnam,' the statement said
Measles Outbreak Melbourne Travel Exposure Sites Vaccination Health Alert
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