Sydney
Health authorities in Australia’s Victoria state have issued an urgent measles alert after detecting two new cases with no overseas travel history or known contact with other patients. The outbreak raises concerns about community transmission in metropolitan Melbourne.
The Victorian Department of Health reported that the infected individuals visited multiple locations, including shopping centers, hospitals, medical facilities, and swimming pools in Melbourne and Bendigo between February 19 and 26. A list of exposure sites and times has been released, and people who visited these locations have been advised to monitor for symptoms until mid-March.
“Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation,” said Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Tarun Weeramanthri. He urged healthcare professionals to remain vigilant, especially for patients with fever and rash who may have visited the exposure sites.
So far, eight measles cases have been reported in Victoria in 2025, according to Xinhua News Agency. Measles primarily affects the respiratory system and spreads rapidly. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash covering the body.
Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles. The vaccine is safe, protects individuals, and helps curb outbreaks. Before its introduction in 1963, measles caused epidemics every two to three years, resulting in 2.6 million deaths annually.
Despite medical advances, measles claimed 107,500 lives in 2023, mostly young children. Health officials continue to stress the importance of vaccination to prevent further outbreaks.