Health Alert Issued for Measles Exposure in Victoria
Health officials in Victoria have issued an urgent alert, warning thousands of residents about potential measles exposure 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 South-East Asia and South Asia.
Individuals who visited specific locations, including hospitals, airports, and shopping centers, during designated times should watch for symptoms for up to 18 days after their visit. The exposure sites span various areas across the state, prompting a broad public health response to prevent further spread.
Symptoms and Recommended Actions
Measles symptoms typically begin with fever, cough, runny nose, red or sore eyes, and general malaise, followed by a rash that starts on the face and spreads downward. Anyone showing these signs should seek medical attention immediately and inform healthcare providers of possible exposure.
Officials recommend verifying vaccination status. Those without two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, or unsure of their status, should consult a general practitioner. Preventive measures, such as the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure or immunoglobulin for high-risk groups like infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals up to six days post-exposure, prove most effective when administered promptly.
Detailed Exposure Sites
Residents must monitor for symptoms based on the following timelines and locations:
Symptoms Possible Up to February 2
- Vietnam Airlines Flight VN 781, 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, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Dong Nam A, 1 Collins Street, St Albans: January 15, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Symptoms Possible 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.
Symptoms Possible Up to February 10
- Princetown Recreation Reserve, 93 Old Coach Road, Princetown: January 23, 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Symptoms Possible Up to February 11
- Princetown Recreation Reserve, 93 Old Coach Road, Princetown: January 24, 7:00 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, 1:00 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.
Symptoms Possible Up to February 12
- Bimbi Park Cape Otway, 90 Manna Gum Drive, Cape Otway: January 25, 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Symptoms Possible 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, 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Symptoms Possible Up to February 14
- Bimbi Park Cape Otway, 90 Manna Gum Drive, Cape Otway: January 27, 7:00 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, 1:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Symptoms Possible Up to February 15
- Lorne Visitor Information Centre, 15 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne: January 28, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Wye River Beachfront Campground, Great Ocean Road, Wye River: January 28, 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Symptoms Possible Up to February 16
- Emirates Flight EK406, departing Dubai and 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 9:00 a.m.
- Koo Wee Rup Medical Centre, 303 Rossiter Road, Koo Wee Rup: January 29, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Symptoms Possible 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, 12:00 p.m. to 12:40 p.m.
- Koala Conservation Reserve, Rhyll: January 30, 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Authorities emphasize the importance of vaccination to curb the virus’s spread, especially given its high contagiousness.
