Status: Active
Date issued: 18 September 2017
Issued by: Dr Brett Sutton, Deputy Chief Health Officer (Communicable Disease), Victoria
Issued to: General practitioners and hospital emergency departments
- There are two (2) confirmed case of measles who were infectious whilst at a number of places across Melbourne between September 6 and September 13.
- One case acquired their illness in Victoria from an unknown source; one case may have acquired illness in Victoria or overseas.
- The cases may have acquired their infection in the following locations: Metro Trains (Armadale to Southern Cross), Collins Street CBD, St Kilda Road Armadale, St Kilda Library. People who attended these locations between August 20 and September 1 may already be unwell with measles.
- The cases attended numerous locations around Melbourne and in Ballarat, where they may have exposed others: Metro Trains and stations (Armadale to Southern Cross), Collins Street, Chadstone Shopping Centre, Ikea Richmond, Ballarat. People who attended these locations between September 6 and September 13 may be at risk of developing measles. See below for exact dates.
- Be alert for measles in patients presenting with a fever at rash onset, particularly if they attended any of the places listed below. Symptoms may have started anytime from September 5. New cases may show symptoms up until October 4 2017.
- Isolate suspected cases to minimise the risk of transmission within your department/practice.
- Notify the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Section at the Department of Health and Human Services on 1300 651 160 of suspected cases immediately.
- Take blood for measles serology in all suspected cases.
- Discuss whether to take nose and throat swabs for PCR with the Department if your suspicion for measles is high. Approval is required prior to PCR testing at the reference laboratory. PCR testing for measles does not attract a Medicare rebate.
More information
For the latest information about this issue see: Update: Measles Alert