Measles warning for Melbourne suburbs

Concern has increased over a Melbourne measles outbreak which appears likely to grow in the coming days. These are the hot spots you need to know about.

Concern has increased over a Melbourne measles outbreak which appears likely to grow in the coming days.

Health authorities have confirmed five adults and a baby have so far been infected in the latest outbreak, but fear more cases will emerge in areas where the infected have travelled this month.

The cluster began after a tourist from Vietnam attended family gatherings in Mornington and St Kilda on May 4 and 5, and later visited Moonee Ponds, North Melbourne, ­Coburg and Mount Waverley.

Six people infected during the gatherings have since visited other areas of the state, raising the possibilities of cases spreading to Geelong, East Malvern, Chadstone, Noble Park, Hawthorn, Oakleigh, Mount Waverley, Fairfield, South Wharf, Armadale, Abbotsford, East Melbourne, Baxter, Frankston and Karingal.

The cluster began after a tourist from Vietnam attended family gatherings across Melbourne.

One of those infected is an infant, prompting 27 babies and toddlers from their childcare centre to visit hospital yesterday for pre-emptive treatment with antibodies intended to prevent the disease developing because they are too young to be vaccinated.

While those infected so far are not considered to be seriously ill, Victoria’s acting chief health officer, Angie Bone, warned people to be wary of symptoms and limit their contact with others if they suspect they have measles.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation because it is quite likely that, despite our best efforts, we may have further cases,” Dr Bone said.

“Measles can be really serious indeed. It often starts with sore eyes, runny nose, bit of a cough, then you develop a bit of a rash that spreads from your face down through your body.

“If you do get complications, they can be serious — you can end up with pneumonia or you can end up with an encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that can cause long-lasting brain damage and, in the worst instances, measles can lead to death.”

A seventh measles case has also been identified in recent days, but the infection stemmed from another case identified last month connected to Bendigo and Echuca.

MORE: HOW BOYD REPAID BULLDOGS IN ONE DAY

ELECTION: GREENS THREATEN LIBERALS IN KEY SEATS

Twenty-two people have been diagnosed with measles in Victoria this year, with the latest outbreak being the biggest cluster since March last year.

Those most at risk of serious illness from measles include very young children and those with weakened immune systems. The disease has an incubation period of between seven and 21 days.

While vaccination programs have made the disease uncommon in Australia, it is more prevalent in overseas.

Immunisation from 12 months with two doses of vaccine is the best way to avoid the disease, while most people born before 1966 are protected due to exposure in childhood.

People who have visited the places below are being warned to watch out for the signs of measles - which includes cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, red eyes and a cough, followed by fever and rash:

May 4:

Mornington

May 5:

St Kilda

Since May 5:

Melbourne CBD

Mornington

Moonee Ponds

North Melbourne

Coburg

Mount Waverley

Mornington

Williamstown

St Kilda

Geelong

East Malvern

Chadstone

Noble Park

Hawthorn

Oakleigh

Fairfield

South Wharf

Armadale

Abbotsford

East Melbourne

Baxter

Frankston

Karingal

St Kilda Rd

Further information about measles can be found at: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

[e-mail]