Victorian health authorities expect a rash of new measles cases will follow from an outbreak of the illness in Melbourne's inner north.
Four measles cases, which are linked, have been found within the suburbs of Brunswick or East Brunswick over the past week, the health department says.
Victoria's acting chief health officer, Roscoe Taylor, said there was a possibility that more people may have been infected from coming into contact with the four carriers, a man and two women in their 20s and a woman in her 40s.
The source of the virus is not known.
Dr Taylor said the measles vaccine had made the disease uncommon and in most cases was linked to unvaccinated people travelling overseas - or being in contact with someone who has. None of the four has been overseas recently.
With an incubation period of 18 days, more cases may turn up soon.
Measles can be serious for young children and adults, often requiring hospitalisation, and people are urged to get vaccinated.
Symptoms of Measles
According to Victorian Government’s Better Health channel, Measles is a very contagious viral illness that causes a skin rash and fever.
Measles can cause serious, sometimes fatal, complications including pneumonia and encephalitis.
The signs and symptoms of measles may include:
- fever
- general discomfort, illness or lack of wellbeing (malaise)
- runny nose
- dry cough
- sore and red eyes (conjunctivitis)
- red and bluish spots inside the mouth (Koplik’s spots)
- red and blotchy skin rash that appears first on the face and hairline, and then spreads to the body.
Those who are displaying the symptoms should call ahead to their GP or hospital to alter them, to help reduce the risk of further transmission.
