Urgent warning after measles outbreak
Health authorities have issued an urgent warning after a person visited shops, supermarkets and a university in Melbourne’s southeast while infected with measles.
Victoria’s Department of Health said the person was infected with the highly contagious viral illness by a returned traveller in Victoria.
While infectious, the person is understood to have visited a number of busy locations between March 14 and 19, including the Glen Shopping Centre and Monash University.
Chief health officer Professor Ben Cowie urged families to ensure they were vaccinated against measles as unlike recent infections “this case was acquired in Victoria”.
“People can be administered MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure to measles to prevent infection,” he said.
“Failing that, we recommend that people monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if any symptoms develop.”
The full list of potential exposure sites includes:
March 14
Church of Secular Coffee – 2-3pm
Bus route 737 from Monash University to the Glen Shopping Centre – 2.30-3.30pm
The Glen Shopping Centre – 3-4pm
JB Hi-Fi The Glen – 3.10pm-4.20pm
Laurent Bakery – 3.40-4.20pm
Portmans The Glen – 3.30-4.20pm
Bus route 737 from Glen Shopping Centre to Monash University – 4-4.50pm
March 15
Learning and Teaching Building, Clayton campus Monash University – 2-4.30pm
Subway Monash University – 4.45-5.30pm
Monash Merchant – 4.45-5.30pm
March 16
Monash University Shuttle Bus – 11.20am-12pm
M-City Shopping Centre – 11.25am-1.40pm
Kmart Clayton (in M-City) – 11.30am-1.40pm
Woolworths Clayton M City – 11.30am-1.40pm
Monash University Shuttle Bus – 1-1.50pm
March 18
Monash Residential Service (MRS) front office – 5-5.30pm
Monash Residential Service Halls Cafe – 6.30-7.30pm
Monash Merchant Clayton – 6.45-7.30pm
March 19
Monash Campus Pharmacy – 8.40-9.15am
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can spread from person-to-person and potentially lead to serious health complications.
While widespread outbreaks have been reported in countries such as Azerbaijan and Ethiopia, it is largely uncommon in Australia.
The illness usually begins with common cold-like symptoms, such as a running nose and cough, which is followed by a fever or a rash.