Authorities have issued an urgent health warning after three individuals with confirmed measles cases visited multiple locations in New South Wales. The infected individuals, who tested positive for the disease, visited various sites in Lake Macquarie and Newcastle, prompting concerns among local health officials.
Residents have been advised to be vigilant for symptoms of measles, which include fever, runny nose, sore eyes, cough, and a red, blotchy rash. Measles, a highly contagious virus, can lead to serious health complications, particularly for young children, if not treated promptly.
Dr. David Durrheim, Director of Public Health for the Hunter New England Local Health District, emphasized that measles is a vaccine-preventable disease transmitted through the air via coughing or sneezing. He urged individuals who may have been in affected locations to monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days after exposure, as it can take that long for symptoms to appear.
“It’s important for people to stay alert for symptoms and seek medical advice if they experience any. Those exhibiting symptoms should contact their GP or emergency department ahead of time to prevent spreading the disease to others,” Dr. Durrheim said.
Health authorities in New South Wales have issued a list of locations and times where the public may have been exposed to measles. These include:
Charleston Soccer Ground: March 1, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Belmont Hospital Emergency Department: March 10, 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM; March 23, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Go Vita Lake Haven Shopping Centre: March 2, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM; March 16, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Go Vita Mount Hutton Shopping Centre: March 17, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Officials have encouraged individuals who were in these locations at the specified times to closely monitor their health and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is available free of charge in New South Wales for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also offered for free to individuals born after 1965 who have not previously received two doses of the vaccine.
In light of the outbreak, health experts have warned Australians traveling internationally to ensure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations, especially as measles outbreaks continue to spread globally, including in Vietnam and the United States.
In New South Wales, health officials have confirmed 10 cases of measles in the first quarter of 2025. While the disease was officially declared eradicated in Australia in 2014, experts are concerned that recent outbreaks could signal a resurgence.
Experts have expressed concern that Australia’s vaccination rate, currently at an estimated 92.21% for two-year-olds, is below the 95% threshold recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for herd immunity. This leaves the country vulnerable to outbreaks, particularly in under-vaccinated areas.
Professor Margie Danchin, a vaccine expert at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, emphasized the danger posed by low vaccination rates. “Measles is the most infectious virus we know. In an under-vaccinated population, it spreads rapidly,” she warned. Certain regions in New South Wales and Queensland, such as the Richmond Valley and Noosa Hinterland, have vaccination rates as low as 70-75%, further heightening concerns of a larger outbreak.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and urge the public to ensure their vaccinations are up-to-date to prevent further spread of the disease.
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