A measles outbreak in Victoria is being traced back to Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribyrnong.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer (CHO) Dr Tarun Weeramanthri declared the outbreak on February 27 after two more cases of measles were reported in people who likely acquired their infection in metropolitan Melbourne.
Neither of the two people infected had travelled overseas or come into contact with other cases of measles.
The pair are known to have attended Highpoint Shopping Centre and Timezone Highpoint between 4pm and 5pm on Wednesday, February 19.
They then attended various locations throughout Melbourne’s north western suburbs and the greater Bendigo area over the following week before presenting at the emergency department at the Royal Melbourne Hospital from 5.20pm on Tuesday, February 25 until 12.25am on Wednesday, February 26.
Both were infectious throughout the week meaning there is now local transmission of measles in the community.
A list of exposure sites attended by the pair has been released and anyone who was at those sites during the specified dates and times is advised to monitor for symptoms of measles and seek medical care if symptoms develop.
There have now been 8 cases of measles identified in Victoria since the start of this year.
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can lead to uncommon but serious complications, such as pneumonia and brain inflammation (encephalitis).
While most people are now immunised against it, a number of populations in Victoria are still susceptible to the illness, including anyone who is unvaccinated, infants under 12 months of age, immunocompromised people and adults who were born between 1966 and 1992 who may not have received two MMR vaccines in childhood.
To view the CHO’s health alert, including the full list of exposure sites, visit: https://shorturl.at/MTzwJ
