Alert for Melbourne’s Chadstone Shopping Centre as two more locally acquired cases of measles are confirmed

The Victorian Department of Health is warning of an increased risk of measles in greater Melbourne after confirming two new cases were locally acquired.

Melbourne’s largest shopping centre has been rocked by measles after Victoria recorded two more locally acquired cases of the highly contagious disease.

The new cases visited Chadstone Shopping Centre, hospitals, universities and a number of smaller shopping centres in greater Melbourne while potentially infectious, according to an alert issued by Victoria’s Department of Health on Friday.

It is believed one of the infected people may have been working at beauty store MECCA, with shoppers who visited the Chadstone MECCA on Thursday and Friday last week asked to monitor for symptoms.

The Chadstone Kmart and lower level food court have also been listed as exposure sites, bringing the total number of exposure sites across greater Melbourne close to 30.

The list includes Dandenong Hospital, Frankston Hospital, Monash University’s Caulfield and Peninsula campuses, metro trains, Wellington Village Shopping Centre, The Glen Shopping Centre and Stud Park Shopping Centre.

Both of the new infections are linked to another recently confirmed case, and the department is warning that there is now an increased risk of measles in greater Melbourne.

“A significant number of recent measles cases have acquired their infection locally in Victoria,” the alert said.

“There is also an ongoing risk of measles being imported into Victoria by travellers returning from overseas or interstate.”

Illustration of measles virus infection showing giant multinucleated cells seen during microscopy of biopsy specimens, known as Warthin-Finkeldey giant cells. Picture: Getty

Measles, which can be avoided with a vaccine, is a contagious viral illness that causes rash and fever. In some cases, it can also cause serious health complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis.

The disease is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes, and a person with measles is infectious from about 24 before the onset of symptoms until four days after the rash appears.

Symptoms can develop between seven to 18 days after exposure and include fever, cough, sore or red eyes, runny nose, and feeling generally unwell, followed by a red maculopapular rash.

The rash usually starts on the face before spreading down the body.

Young infants and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to suffering serious complications if they contract the virus.

The local cases are taking place as global case numbers are also rising, potentially exposing Australian travellers to the virus, the department said.

“There are currently outbreaks reported in multiple countries and regions, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Africa, Europe and the UK, the Middle East, and North America,” the alert stated.

A typical measles rash. Picture: Victoria Department of Health

A full exposure site list has been posted to the health department’s website.

“Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others,” the department stated.

“Anyone who has attended a listed exposure site during the specified date and time or spent time in greater Melbourne from late April should monitor for symptoms and seek medical care if symptoms develop for up to 18 days after the exposure.

“Anyone who attended a listed exposure site and is not fully vaccinated for measles may be eligible to receive the MMR vaccine if they present within 72 hours of exposure.

“Anyone who is immunocompromised or pregnant and not fully vaccinated for measles should seek medical review if within six days of exposure to a measles case.

“Anyone who develops symptoms of measles should seek medical care and testing for measles.

“Call the health service beforehand to advise that you may have been exposed to measles and wear a face mask.”

-With NCA NewsWire

Originally published as Alert for Melbourne’s Chadstone Shopping Centre as two more locally acquired cases of measles are confirmed