Daijiworld Media Network- Sydney
Sydney, Feb 28: Health authorities in Victoria, Australia, have issued a public health alert following a measles outbreak in the state, with two new cases reported in metropolitan Melbourne.
According to the Victorian department of health, the two infected individuals had no history of overseas travel or known contact with other measles patients, suggesting local transmission of the virus.
Health officials revealed that the two cases had visited multiple locations in Melbourne and Bendigo, a regional city 130 km northwest of Melbourne, between February 19 and 26. The locations include:
• Shopping centres
• Swimming pools
• Medical facilities
• Major hospitals
A complete list of exposure sites and times has been released, and those who visited these locations during the specified period have been advised to monitor for symptoms until mid-March.
Dr Tarun Weeramanthri, Victoria’s chief health officer, emphasized that measles is a highly infectious viral illness, which can spread rapidly and lead to severe complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation.
He urged healthcare professionals to remain vigilant for patients presenting with fever and rash, especially those who recently traveled overseas or visited the listed exposure sites.
So far, eight measles cases have been reported in Victoria in 2025, as per Xinhua news agency.
Measles affects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Common symptoms include:
• High fever
• Cough and runny nose
• Rashes covering the body
Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles and its complications. The measles vaccine is safe, effective, and plays a crucial role in protecting individuals and preventing outbreaks.
Before the introduction of the vaccine in 1963, measles outbreaks occurred every two to three years, causing an estimated 2.6 million deaths annually. Despite advancements in medical science, 107,500 people worldwide—mostly children under five—died from measles in 2023.
Authorities are urging residents to check their vaccination status and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms.