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

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