Key Points
- Two people have likely caught measles in metropolitan Melbourne.
- The cases were infectious when visiting 19 locations across Bendigo and Melbourne.
- A list of exposure sites has been published by Victoria's Department of Health.
Measles is spreading locally within Australia after two people caught the highly contagious viral infection without travelling overseas.
Two people likely acquired measles in metropolitan Melbourne as they had no history of overseas travel or known contact with other cases.
"This means there is now local transmission of measles in the community," Victorian chief health officer Tarun Weeramanthri said in a health alert.
The cases were infectious when visiting 19 locations across greater Bendigo and metropolitan Melbourne.
Those who attended a listed exposure site at specified times have been advised to monitor for symptoms.
These can include a fever, cough, sore or red eyes, runny nose, and feeling generally unwell, followed by a red bumpy rash.
Symptoms can develop up to 18 days after exposure with people warned to be vigilant as initial symptoms may be similar to COVID-19 or the flu.
The virus can spread through airborne droplets or contact with nose or throat secretions and contaminated surfaces and objects, lasting for up to two hours in the environment.
Eight measles cases have been identified in Victoria so far in 2025 after at least 15 were reported in the state last year.
Anyone born during or since 1966 who doesn't have documented evidence of receiving two doses of a measles-containing vaccine is at risk of contracting the disease.
Unvaccinated infants are at particularly high risk, and pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system are more susceptible to suffering serious complications.
All Australians are eligible to receive the free measles-mumps-rubella vaccine if born during or after 1966.
People are urged to get the vaccine before travelling overseas, especially those planning to fly to South and South-East Asian countries, including Vietnam.
