Urgent warning after deadly disease detected in Victoria, New South Wales

Health officials have issued warnings after the same highly infectious disease was detected in two major cities, with exposure sites including hospitals, shopping centres and airports.

Health authorities have warned residents in Melbourne and Sydney to remain cautious after multiple cases of the same infectious disease were detected in the capital cities.

In Victoria, five new measles cases were reported by the state’s health authority on Friday.

Two of the cases were locally acquired and linked to the recent local outbreak reported in February, while three cases were linked to infection overseas in Bali.

In one instance, transmission occurred in a primary care waiting room, Victoria Health said.

The cases bring the state’s total to 13 cases in 2025.

According to heath authorities measles is no longer endemic in Australia, but cases still occur from time to time after overseas travel.

Victoria measles exposure sites

Hospitals/Medical Centres: Frankston Hospital Emergency Department ( March 11-13), My Clinic South Yarra (March 12), and Rosebud Hospital Emergency Department (March 11), Hampshire Road Medical Centre (March 7), and 4Cyte Pathology Sunshine (March 7).

Chapel St Bars: ONESIXONE (March 10), Revolver Upstairs (March 8-10), and Somewhere Bar (March 7-8)

Shopping Centres: Seven shops at Highpoint Shopping Centre, the Taylor’s Lakes Hotel, and fast food outlets, including YOMG and Grill’d, in Mornington on March 7.

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can lead to uncommon but serious complications, such as pneumonia and brain inflammation. Picture: Victoria Health

Anyone who visited these locations is urged to monitor for symptoms up to 18 day after the exposure risk.

“In addition, anyone who presents with signs and symptoms compatible with measles should be tested and notified to the Department of Health immediately,” the department said.

“There should be an especially high level of suspicion if they have travelled overseas or visited any of the sites listed above and are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated for measles.”

In NSW, health authorities issued a warning just days ago after a traveller with a confirmed case of measles took an international flight to Sydney and visited several locations in the city.

The person returned from Southeast Asia, which is currently reporting measles outbreaks, including in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Those who boarded the same flight or attended the following locations should watch for signs and symptoms of measles.

The traveller boarded Vietnam Airlines flight VN733, which departed Ho Chi Minh City about 9.20pm on March 9 and arrived in Sydney about 9.50am on March 10.

A measles case was detected at Sydney Airport in early March. Picture: Supplied

The traveller also attended the terminal and baggage claim at Sydney International Airport between 10am and midday.

On Thursday, the person attended The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Emergency Department waiting room from 10.30am to 5pm.

Symptoms of measles include runny nose, fever, sore eyes and cough, usually followed a few days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body.

The disease is extremely infectious and if untreated can be fatal, especially for young children.

South Western Sydney local district assistant director of public health Mitchell Smith urged anyone who had visited the mentioned locations to monitor for symptoms of the infectious disease.

Measles is preventable by the MMR vaccine and is spread through the air when an infectious person coughs or sneezes.

“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms until the end of March 2025,” Dr Smith said.

“It’s important for people to stay vigilant if they’ve been exposed, and if they develop symptoms, to please call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.

“We want to remind the community to make sure they are up-to-date with their vaccinations. The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough,” he said.

Measles is a preventable disease thanks to vaccines. Picture: Getty

Both Victoria Health and NSW Health have urged residents to check their measles vaccination status, noting that the MMR vaccine is free for children at 12 and 18 months. and those born after 1965, who haven’t received two doses of the vaccine.

If individuals aren’t sure whether they have received two doses, Dr Smith recommends receiving another dose, as additional doses are safe.

“This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious,” Dr Smith said.

“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine.”

Anyone planning overseas travel should make sure they have received appropriate travel vaccinations, including the MMR vaccination, health authorities said.