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Measles cases are on the rise and members of the community are being urged to ensure their vaccinations are up-to-date.
In 2014 Australia was declared measles-free by the World Health Organization and, while there have been outbreaks since, they have been contained.
However, the highly infectious virus is back in the community with 59 cases reported between January and April this year, more than the entirety of 57 cases in 2024. There were 26 cases in 2023 and seven in 2022.
High infection rates in the United States and South-East Asia are also causing concern with the increased risk from returning travellers.
Vaccination is the community’s best weapon against this highly infectious virus.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is measles?
Measles is a viral disease which spreads easy and can cause severe problems. It remains a common cause of death in children under five in some parts of the world.
Measles is rare in Australia but remains common in many parts of the world. In most cases, it comes from people who return home from abroad and have brought the disease back with them. This can cause a community outbreak.
Fever, flu-like symptoms, sore red eyes and a spreading rash are common symptoms of measles. Problems can include ear infections, pneumonia and swelling of the brain.
Vaccination is the best method to protect against measles. In 99 per cent of people, two doses of the vaccine can provide long-term protection.
What are the symptoms of measles?
The first symptoms are fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes and feeling unwell. A few days later a rash appears. The rash starts on the face, spreads down to the body and lasts for four to seven days. The rash is not itchy. Young children (especially infants) may also experience diarrhoea.
The symptoms of measles usually start 10 days after being exposed to the virus but can sometimes take as few as seven or as many as 18 days to appear. The rash usually appears around 14 days after exposure to the measles virus.
Measles is a severe disease. Up to a third of people with measles have complications and may require hospitalisation. Complications of measles can include ear infections, diarrhoea and pneumonia. About one in every 1,000 people with measles develops encephalitis (swelling of the brain).
How is measles spread?
Measles is commonly spread when a person breathes in the measles virus which has been coughed or sneezed into the air by an infectious person.
Measles is one of the most easily spread of all human infections. Just being in the same room as someone with measles can result in infection.
People with measles are usually infectious from just before the symptoms begin until four days after the rash appears.
Who is at risk of getting measles?
People are at risk of measles if they have never had measles infection or they have not had two doses of the measles vaccine or have a weakened immune system.
Measles remains common in many countries and large outbreaks often occur. People travelling overseas are at risk of measles if they are not immune.
How can measles be prevented?
The best protection against measles is to get vaccinated. Two doses of measles vaccine (at least four weeks apart) provide long-term, possibly lifelong, protection in 99 per cent of vaccinated people.
People planning travel overseas should speak to their GP or pharmacist about vaccination, check their vaccinations are up-to-date, and make sure they are fully vaccinated against measles before leaving Australia.
In Australia, two doses of measles vaccine are offered to children under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for free at 12 months of age as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and 18 months of age as measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine.
These vaccines provide protection against mumps, German measles (rubella) and chicken pox (varicella) as well as measles.
People planning on travelling overseas with children between six and 18 months of age should discuss their travel plans with their GP, as the schedule can be adjusted for children travelling to areas with a high risk of measles.
Anyone born during or after 1966 who has never had measles infection should see their doctor to make sure they have had two doses of measles vaccine at least four weeks apart. It is safe to have the vaccine more than twice, so people who are unsure should get vaccinated.
Measles vaccines can be accessed in NSW from GPs and registered pharmacist immunisers. Pharmacist immunisers are unable to provide measles vaccines to children under the age of five.
For anyone without evidence of two doses of measles vaccine the vaccine itself will be free, however the pharmacist or doctor may charge a service fee to administer the vaccine.