Measles Outbreak Victoria: Exposure Sites Alert

Measles Cases Rise in Victoria, Prompting Widespread Exposure Warnings

Victoria’s Department of Health has issued urgent alerts to thousands of residents potentially exposed to measles following the confirmation of two new cases. This brings the total number of cases in the state to four for 2026, all connected to recent travel from Southeast Asia and South Asia.

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Measles Cases Rise in Victoria, Prompting Widespread Exposure Warnings Symptoms and Recommended Actions Detailed Exposure Sites and Monitoring Periods

Individuals who visited specified locations, including hospitals, airports, and shopping centers, during designated times should monitor for symptoms up to 18 days after their exposure. Early detection remains crucial to prevent further spread of this highly contagious virus.

Symptoms and Recommended Actions

Common signs of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red or sore eyes, and general malaise, often followed by a rash beginning on the face and spreading downward. Those experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention and notify healthcare providers of possible exposure.

Officials recommend verifying vaccination status. Individuals without two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, or those unsure, should consult a general practitioner. Preventive measures, such as the MMR vaccine, prove most effective within 72 hours of exposure, while immunoglobulin offers protection up to six days for vulnerable groups including infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.

Detailed Exposure Sites and Monitoring Periods

The following locations require monitoring for symptom onset based on the specified timelines:

Up to February 2: Vietnam Airlines Flight VN 781 from Melbourne Airport, Tullamarine (January 14-15, 9:15 p.m. to 10:10 a.m.); Melbourne Airport Terminal 2, Tullamarine (January 15, 9:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.); Jetaway Shuttle Bus from Melbourne Airport to Jetaway Airport Parking, Tullamarine (January 15, 10:50 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.); Jetaway Airport Parking, 6 Prima Court, Tullamarine (January 15, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.); Dong Nam A, 1 Collins Street, St Albans (January 15, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).
Up to February 3: Barwon Health North Urgent Care Centre, Ground Floor Front Reception Area, 155 Princes Highway, Norlane (January 16, 11:20 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.).
Up to February 10: Princetown Recreation Reserve, 93 Old Coach Road, Princetown (January 23, 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.).
Up to February 11: Princetown Recreation Reserve, 93 Old Coach Road, Princetown (January 24, 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.); Great Ocean Road Health Apollo Bay Urgent Care Centre, 75 McLachlan Street, Apollo Bay (January 24, 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.); Casalingo Restaurant, 1 Moore Street, Apollo Bay (January 24, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.); Bimbi Park Cape Otway, 90 Manna Gum Drive, Cape Otway (January 24, 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.); Foodworks Apollo Bay, 4 Hardy Street, Apollo Bay (January 24, 8:10 p.m. to 9:20 p.m.).
Up to February 12: Bimbi Park Cape Otway, 90 Manna Gum Drive, Cape Otway (January 25, 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.).
Up to February 13: Cape Otway Lightstation, 1140 Lightstation Road, Cape Otway (January 26, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.); Bimbi Park Cape Otway, 90 Manna Gum Drive, Cape Otway (January 26, 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.).
Up to February 14: Bimbi Park Cape Otway, 90 Manna Gum Drive, Cape Otway (January 27, 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.); Foodworks Apollo Bay, 4 Hardy Street, Apollo Bay (January 27, 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.); Wild Dog Home Hardware, 41-45 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay (January 27, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.); Wye River Beachfront Campground, Great Ocean Road, Wye River (January 27, 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.).
Up to February 15: Lorne Visitor Information Centre, 15 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne (January 28, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.); Wye River Beachfront Campground, Great Ocean Road, Wye River (January 28, 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.).
Up to February 16: Emirates Flight EK406 departing Dubai, arriving Melbourne Airport, Tullamarine (January 28-29, 10:05 a.m. to 6:55 a.m.); Melbourne Airport Terminal 2, Tullamarine (January 29, 6:25 a.m. to 9 a.m.); Koo Wee Rup Medical Centre, 303 Rossiter Road, Koo Wee Rup (January 29, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
Up to February 17: Sunshine Hospital, St Albans (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Paediatric Emergency Department) (January 30, 4:45 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.); San Remo Pelican Feeding, San Remo (January 30, 12 p.m. to 12:40 p.m.); Koala Conservation Reserve, Rhyll (January 30, 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.).