A measles warning has been issued after three recent cases were reported across a series of public sites in Melbourne.
There have been nine new cases of measles in Victoria over the past fortnight.
A woman in her 50s is being treated in hospital, another woman in her 30s is recovering at home and a third person, a man in his 30s, is also recovering at home.
None of these cases are known or related to each other.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Brett Sutton, said there are a large number of ongoing international measles outbreaks.
In Samoa there have been more than 60 deaths and thousands of cases.
Other outbreaks have been reported New Zealand – as well as Asia, Europe and America.
“People who are planning overseas travel should ensure they have received vaccinations appropriate to travel, including an MMR vaccine, if they do not have a history of two previous MMR vaccinations,” Dr Sutton said.
“Free MMR vaccine is now available from GPs and some pharmacies for all eligible people born during or since 1966. Patients unsure of their vaccination status or are aged over 18 months and have only had one vaccine, should be vaccinated.”
“Anyone planning to travel overseas for Christmas can get immunised now, even if they are not sure of their previous vaccination history, so that an illness like measles does not destroy their celebrations,” Dr Sutton said.
In 2019 there have been 56 cases of confirmed measles notified in Victoria.
Almost all cases are in people who are not fully immunised against measles, who have either travelled overseas or been in contact with travellers from overseas in Victoria.
The health department has released details of exposure sites visited by the recovering patients whilst infectious;
• Futsal Oz in Thomastown on Friday, November 22 from 10pm -midnight.
• Hellenic Republic in Brighton on Friday, November 26.
• Virgin Australia flight VA322, departing Brisbane 9.55am, arriving to Melbourne 1.30pm on Saturday, November 30.
•Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, Terminal 3 on Saturday, November 30.
• Tram 109 from Port Melbourne to CBD anytime of the day on the 3rd, 4th or 5th of December.
