’Most infectious disease’: State hit with more measles exposure sites

Days after a state declared five cases of one of the world’s most contagious diseases, a further three cases have been confirmed.

WA Health has reported another three cases of highly-infectious measles across its capital city, increasing to a total of eight.

The health department confirmed another three cases had been reported in Perth, days after an outbreak was confirmed by the WA Department of Health.

It comes days after an urgent warning was issued to residents after more than a dozen exposure sites had been identified across the state’s South West.

More cases of measles have been confirmed in Western Australia. Picture: ACS

Exposure sites included retail stores, playgrounds, medical centres, cafes and food outlets, as well as Bunbury Regional Hospital and Hakea Prison.

Two of the new exposure sites were confirmed at Bunbury Hospital, Department of Health’s acting director of communicable diseases, Paul Effler, told NewsWire.

Dr Effler confirmed four cases were linked to exposure at the hospital.

“We are working closely with hospital staff to prevent further infection,” he told NewsWire.

“Extensive contact tracing is underway as well as other infection control measures.

“Any suspected measles cases within the hospital will receive care away from the general population.”

He confirmed there was no ongoing risk of measles at the hospital, and the “community should feel confident accessing healthcare as normal”.

Four other cases were recoreded at Hakea Prison and Bunbury Regional Prison.

Mr Effler told the ABC the increasing number of cases wasn’t “completely suprisng”.

“The bad news is that measles is really infectious, in fact it may be the most infectious disease known to humans,” he told the outlet.

“But the good news is that it’s totally preventable.”

Measles is considered one of the most contagious diseases to humans, Dr Effler said.

Symptoms of measles include a fever, tiredness, a runny nose, cough and sore, red eyes.

After three or four days, a blotchy and red rash may occur on the skin.

Left untreated, the viral illenss can lead to serious but rare complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation (encephalitis).

“The measles vaccine is extremely effective in preventing infection,” Dr Effler told NewsWire.

He urged all residents in WA to stay up tp date with their vaccinations.

“It is important that anyone under 60, who has not received two doses of the measles vaccine - and has visited an exposure location – should monitor for symptoms particularly fever and respiratory illness,” he said.

Those who may have visited the expoisure sites should monitor their symptoms for 18 days after the visit.

The disease can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation. Photo by: BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

“Babies under 12-months-old are also at risk if they are exposed to someone who is infectious with measles as they are too young to be fully immunised,” he said.

“The MMR vaccination is given to all children at 12 months, and a second dose at 18 months.

“These vaccinations cover measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.”

So far in 2025, there have been 37 confirmed cases of measles across the country, including 14 in Victoria and 13 in NSW.

In 2024, there were 57 cases reported across Australia, up from 23 cases in 2023.

Originally published as ’Most infectious disease’: State hit with more measles exposure sites