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Warning issued from the state’s health department after fourth case of measles has been confirmed in Victoria.

Victoria Health says there is a risk of exposure across metropolitan Melbourne and rural parts of the state, reports Daily Mail.

‘Three out of four of the cases were in central Melbourne during the period they must have acquired their infection,’ said Victoria’s Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Finn Romanes. ‘It is likely there will be more cases related to this outbreak.’

Anyone who is not fully vaccinated with two jabs and the immunocompromised are at risk of infection.

Warning

Last week a widespread measles warning was issued in Queensland and Victoria after a woman travelled interstate while infected with the infectious disease.

The woman was in Shepparton from June 21 to 25, travelled by train to Southern Cross Station on June 25 and attended Melbourne Airport via Jetstar on June 25 before returning on the 28th.

While in Brisbane she caught the Beenleigh train from the airport and visited the Beaudesert Fair Shopping Centre during her stay.

There was an outbreak in Melbourne earlier in the year also.

The contagious viral illness is infectious through airborne transmission but can be controlled through vaccinations.

Symptoms include fever, runny nose, red eyes and a cough followed by a rash.

Who is at risk?

•Children or adults born during or since 1966 who do not have documented evidence of receiving two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or documented evidence of laboratory-confirmed measles immunity are considered to be susceptible to measles.

•People who are immunocompromised are also at risk.

Symptoms and transmission

Measles initially presents with a prodrome of fever, cough, conjunctivitis, and coryza. A generalised maculopapular rash develops two to five days after the onset of the prodrome, coinciding with fever. Koplik spots on the buccal mucosa may be present for three to four days prior to rash onset but not at time of rash. Individuals, especially children, are typically unwell.

Clinical case definition: the following clinical features must be present to meet the case definition for measles:

• generalised maculopapular rash, usually lasting three or more days, AND

• fever (at least 38°C, if measured) present at the time of rash onset, AND

• cough or coryza or conjunctivitis.

Measles is transmitted by airborne droplets and direct contact with discharges from respiratory mucous membranes of infected persons and less commonly by articles freshly soiled with nose and throat secretions.

Measles is highly infectious and can persist in the environment for at least 30 minutes.

The incubation period is variable and averages 10 days (range: 7 – 18 days) from exposure to the onset of fever, with an average of 14 days from exposure to the onset of rash.

The infectious period of patients with measles is five days before, to four days after, the appearance of the rash.

People with immediate concerns can check the FAQ sheet on health.vic

Share your comments below.

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  • Concerning.

    Reply

  • Serious problem particularly as not everyone is vaccinated. Hate to get measles as an adult. You would be very sick.

    Reply

  • MMR is a live virus and can shed up to 2 month after injection. This is where we are most exposed to the illness. Also the MMR vaccine is banned in Japan because millions of kids had terrible reactions, i think that is more of a threat to our health, especially after Dr. William Thomson the top CDC scientist admitted fraud on the MMR study, not sure why the Australian govt isn’t protecting our children in light of this??? It’s a crazy world putting children in harm’s way.

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  • I am concerned about older parents, grandparents etc. If they had measles prior to the vaccination being available, can they catch it again?
    I know my Mum had it as a child, my Aunties and Uncle had it too, but I don’t know about relatives on my Dad’s side of the family.

    Reply

  • Doesn’t suprise me with all the antivaxers

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  • Measles can be such a dangerous illness, in particular if you contract it as an adult. My family and I are all vaccinated.


    • We are all vaccinated too – when there is a vaccination is just makes sense.

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  • so frustrating that this is happening, so scary for all the immuno suppressed people and pregnant mummas. I understand not everyone can vaccinate but I am a believer that it should be done where ever possible, especially knowing so many people that have suffered through cancer, premature births and a friend whose child has to take immuno suppressants for another sever condition

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  • I’m surprised that this infection is making a comeback.

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  • This is totally ridiculous. This is the result of anti-vaccers. A disease that was wiped out in most countries is now raring it’s ugly head again.


    • It is a dreadful disease and the community should always act responsibly for the greater good.

    Reply

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