People at a university graduation ceremony in Melbourne may have taken home more than their degrees, say health officials warning of a measles outbreak.
Two people who attended the RMIT ceremony, at Etihad Stadium on December 17, have since been diagnosed with measles.
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Dr Rosemary Lester has warned there are likely to be more cases as the pair, who had not been vaccinated for measles, likely exposed many others to the contagious disease.
"We are concerned that more people may have been infected from the event," Dr Lester said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Measles has an incubation period of up to 18 days, so illness acquired from this event could still be coming through, and cases could still remain infectious for many days."
Measles can cause serious illness, particularly in very young children and adults.
It can feel like a common cold with fever, sore throat, red eyes and a cough with a rash following within three to seven days of first symptoms.
It can lead to pneumonia and other serious complications requiring hospital care.
People who attended the graduation and the wider community are asked to be alert to measles symptoms.
"Anyone developing these symptoms is advised to ring ahead to their doctor or hospital and alert them that they have fever and a rash," Dr Lester said.
"If you know you have been in contact with a measles case, please alert your GP or hospital emergency department.
"The doctor or hospital will then be able to provide treatment in a way that minimises transmission."
Immunisation is the best protection against measles.
Measles vaccine is currently recommended on the National Immunisation Program for children between 12 months and four years of age.
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