Test and Isolate: Victoria Warns About Rise in Measles Cases

Measles virus. Mother holding tiny baby foot with red rash, closeup

Health authorities in the Australian state of Victoria are warning about a rise in measles cases amid an outbreak in South East Asia.

The Department of Health is urging residents to test, isolate, and wear a mask if they develop any symptoms of measles.

One new case has recently emerged in an individual in the suburb of Cranbourne, 43 kilometres south-east of Melbourne.

Acting Chief Health Officer Evelyn Wong, in an alert issued Jan. 4, warned health professionals to be alert for measles in patients with fever and rash.

“Anyone who develops symptoms of measles should seek medical care. Wear a mask and call ahead to make sure you can be isolated from others,” the alert stated.

“Suspected cases should be tested, advised to isolate, and notified to the Department of Health immediately.”

Australia was declared measles free in 2014, however, it has reemerged in travellers returning from overseas, particularly Vietnam and Thailand.

“At the present time, any overseas travel could lead to exposure to measles, with outbreaks reported in other countries in Asia (including Thailand, Indonesia, and India), as well as Africa, Europe and the UK, the Middle East, and the USA,” the department said.

Within Victoria, the government has listed a wide range of exposure sites including shopping centres, a bakery, Bunnings, pharmacies, and the airport.

“Anyone who has attended a listed exposure site during the specified date and time should monitor for symptoms and seek medical care if symptoms develop for up to 18 days after the exposure,” the health department said.

Health professionals have been advised to test and notify the health department of any suspected measles cases immediately.

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

What Are the Symptoms of Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection with symptoms that can appear 10 to 14 days after exposure.

The symptoms include high fever, dry and persistent cough, runny nose, red watery eyes like conjunctivitis, and a sore throat.

Small white spots with a bluish white centre on a red background appear inside the cheeks, about two to three days before a rash.

Three to seven days after the early symptoms, a red and blotchy rash that starts on the head and spreads down the rest of the body appears.

Further symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, body aches and swollen lymph nodes. Complications can include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, brain swelling, and vision or hearing loss.

Early Symptoms ‘Similar to COVID’

Explaining the symptoms, the Victorian health department said the early stages of measles can be like COVID-19 and the flu.

Individuals with measles are infectious from 24 hours before the onset of symptoms until four days after the rash.

“If a symptomatic person tests negative for COVID-19 and/or influenza but develops a rash, they should be advised to continue isolating and be tested for measles,” the department said.

“Measles is highly infectious and can spread through airborne droplets or contact with nose or throat secretions, as well as contaminated surfaces and objects. The measles virus can stay in the environment for up to two hours.”

What’s Going on in Vietnam

The United States embassy in Vietnam alerted residents to more than 20,000 measles cases in Vietnam in late December.

This includes almost 5,000 confirmed cases and seven deaths, with 55 countries globally reporting large measles outbreaks.

A flight that departed that departed Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on Dec. 27 at 9:32 p.m. is listed as an exposure site for Victoria.

This Vietnam Airlines Flight VN781 to Melbourne arrived in Australia on Dec. 28 at 9:42 a.m. Residents have been advised to monitor for symptoms until Jan. 15.