Measles health alert: Rising cases in travellers returning from South-East Asia

03 February 2025

There is a growing measles outbreak in South-East Asia, especially in Vietnam and Thailand.

Several people from Melbourne have caught measles whilst visiting family or travelling in Vietnam.

To minimise the risk of transmissions clinicians are advised to:

  • Offer free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to all people born after 1965, who do not have documented evidence of 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine.
    • Vaccinate all individuals who are unsure of their vaccination history, regardless of Medicare status, particularly before overseas travel.
    • Babies aged 6 to 12 months travelling to countries with measles outbreaks should get an extra measles vaccine before they go.
    • The second measles dose was added to the National Immunisation Program Schedule in 1994. Check that individuals born 1966 to 1994have had a second catchup dose.  
  • Be alert and consider measles in patients with compatible symptoms, particularly those who have recently returned from overseas. 
  • Suspected cases should be tested, advised to isolate (airborne precautions), and must be notified immediately by calling 1300 651 160. 

For more information, visit NEPHU article

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