Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has issued an alert after a person with measles visited the Monash Medical Centre emergency department in Clayton on Saturday 8 February.
Exposure times for the case are:
- 9 pm-9.50 pm – Monash Medical Centre, adult emergency department (main triage and waiting area)
- 9.20 pm-10.45 pm – Monash Medical Centre, paediatric emergency department (waiting room).
Anyone at those sites during the specified times who does not have immunity to measles should monitor for symptoms (see below) and seek medical care if symptoms develop, for up to 18 days after the exposure. People are considered immune if they previously had measles or have had 2 doses of a measles-containing vaccine.
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can lead to uncommon but serious complications, such as pneumonia and brain inflammation.
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, sore or red eyes (conjunctivitis), runny nose, and feeling generally unwell, followed by a rash that usually starts on the face before spreading down the body.
The measles case had recently returned from Pakistan. Growing outbreaks continue to be reported internationally, including in Vietnam and Thailand.
People planning to travel overseas are being urged to check their vaccinations – including measles – are up to date.
All Victorians born in 1966 or later who do not have documentation of having received two doses of measles-containing vaccine are eligible for a free vaccination. Clinicians should vaccinate all individuals who are unsure of their vaccination history, regardless of Medicare status.
Healthcare professionals should be alert for measles in patients with fever and rash, particularly those who have recently returned from overseas or attended a listed exposure site during the specified period.