Status: Active
Date issued: 8 October 2019
Issued by: Dr Brett Sutton, Chief Health Officer, Victoria
Issued to: General practitioners and Hospital Emergency Departments
Key messages
- Two new confirmed measles cases have been identified in Victoria. The two individuals were infectious while attending multiple public areas across Melbourne.
- Anyone planning overseas travel should ensure they have received appropriate vaccinations prior to travel.
- Infants as young as six months of age can receive free MMR vaccine prior to travel overseas.
- Be alert for measles in patients presenting with a fever at rash onset, particularly if they were overseas or visited detailed sites 7-18 days prior to onset of illness.
- Isolate suspected cases.
- 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. Seek approval from the Department prior to taking nose and throat swab for PCR testing.
- Offer free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to all eligible people born during or since 1966.
Read the full alert: New measles cases in Victoria