Measles warning: Melbourne locations flagged as potentially infectious

UPDATE: A BABY boy is among three measles cases confirmed in Victoria. Authorities warn people may have been exposed to the highly infectious illness at the following times and Melbourne places.

A BABY boy is among three confirmed cases of measles in Victoria, sparking health warnings for those who may have been exposed to the highly infectious illness.

The state’s Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Brett Sutton has warned Victorians to be alert to possible signs of illness as those infected frequented various Melbourne and Ballarat locations between September 6 and September 13.

Dr Sutton said they may have exposed others on the train between Armadale and Southern Cross station or at Collins Street, Chadstone Shopping Centre, Ikea Richmond and Federation University in Ballarat.

NSW Health has issued a measles warning.

“People who attended these locations between September 6 and September 13 may be at risk of developing measles,” Dr Sutton said.

The two people infected with measles may have also contracted the illness at the listed locations or at St Kilda Road in Armadale or St Kilda Library.

At least one infection was contracted locally, while the other may have been acquired locally or overseas.

“The source of the infection is unknown at this point. This means there may already be secondary cases in the community which have not been diagnosed,” Dr Sutton said.

He warned new cases may not show symptoms of the highly infectious illness until October 4.

A third separate case involves an adult male who returned from travelling in Romania where there has been a large measles outbreak. He is in a stable condition in hospital.

The man returned to Austalia on September 12 and became unwell on September 13 — therefore was infectious on his flights home.

He took Qatar Airways flight QR222 from Bucharest to Doha, Qatar, before flying to Melbourne on flight QR904.

Anyone who presents with signs and symptoms such as a fever or rash should be tested and notify the health department.

Places where the cases may have acquired their illness (August 20 — September 1):

* Metro trains (Frankston line) between Armadale and Southern Cross

* Southern Cross Station & Armadale Station

* St Kilda Library (specifically August 25 and August 30)

* Collins Street, Docklands

The two cases spent time while infectious at the following locations:

* September 6: Ikea Richmond (11am-1pm)

* September 7: Spotlight Carnegie (11.30am-12.30pm), Chadstone Shopping Centre specifically Kmart (12pm-3.30pm)

* September 8: Federation University, Ballarat (Mt Helen campus)

* September 9: Chadstone Shopping Centre (10am-1pm)

* September 11 and 12: Frankston Train line (peak hour travel time), Armadale Station

and Southern Cross Station

* September 13: Ikea Richmond (11am-1.30pm)

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