The current measles outbreak in Victoria is growing with five further measles cases identified. Two of these cases are domestically acquired and linked to the recent domestic outbreak reported in February. Three cases acquired their infection overseas in Bali. These cases were infectious at multiple locations in Melbourne.
The current outbreak has led to a list of exposure sites, including a number in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. The local exposure sites are:
Frankston Hospital Emergency Department, 2 Hastings Road, Frankston between 8.15pm Wednesday 12 March and 2.15pm Thursday 13 March
Frankston Hospital Emergency Department waiting room, 2 Hastings Road, Frankston, Wednesday 12 March 2025 3:20pm to 8:50pm
Frankston Hospital Emergency Department waiting room, 2 Hastings Road, Frankston, Tuesday 11 March 2025 7:30am to 8:10am
Frankston Hospital Emergency Department, 2 Hastings Road, Frankston, Tuesday 11 March 2025 7:40am to 4:10pm
Rosebud Hospital Emergency Department Waiting Room, 1527 Point Nepean Road, Capel Sound, Tuesday 11 March 2025 12:50am to 7:10am
Grill’d Burgers, Mornington, 18a Main St, Mornington, Friday 7 March 2025 8:20pm to 9:45pm
YOMG Mornington, 54 Main St, Mornington, Friday 7 March 2025 7:30pm to 8:45pm
The Training Ground, Rosebud, 10 Suffolk St, Rosebud, Thursday 6 March 2025 1:30pm to 3:15pm
The Training Ground, Rosebud, 10 Suffolk St, Rosebud, Wednesday 5 March 2025 8:30am to 10:00am
Anyone who has attended a listed exposure site during the specified times above should monitor for symptoms and seek medical care if symptoms develop for up to 18 days after the exposure and follow the recommendations below.
In addition, anyone who presents with signs and symptoms compatible with measles should be tested and notified to the Department of Health immediately. There should be an especially high level of suspicion if they have travelled overseas or visited any of the sites listed above and are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated for measles.
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can lead to uncommon but serious complications, such as pneumonia and brain inflammation (encephalitis). There have been 13 cases of measles identified in Victoria in 2025, with four confirmed cases of local acquisition.
Measles vaccination coverage rates in Australia, while comparatively high, have declined to below the 95% national target since the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost all recent cases have arisen in people who have not had two documented doses of the MMR vaccine, showing the highly infectious nature of measles. In one instance, transmission occurred in a primary care waiting room, highlighting the importance of immediate isolation of people with fever and rash who present to healthcare settings.
Global case numbers of measles are rising and any overseas travel could also lead to exposure to measles. There are currently outbreaks reported in multiple countries and regions, including Vietnam, Thailand, India, Africa, Europe and the UK, the Middle East, and the USA.
A number of populations in Victoria are susceptible to measles, 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.
Who is at risk?
Anyone born during or since 1966 who does not have documented evidence of having received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or does not have documented evidence of immunity, is at risk of measles. This is also known as being susceptible to measles.
Unvaccinated infants are at particularly high risk of contracting measles. Victorians born between 1966 and 1992 may not have received two doses of vaccine, which are required to provide immunity.
Young infants, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system are at increased risk of serious complications from measles.
Symptoms and transmission
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, sore or red eyes (conjunctivitis), runny nose, and feeling generally unwell, followed by a red maculopapular rash. The rash usually starts on the face before spreading down the body. Symptoms can develop between 7 to 18 days after exposure.
Initial symptoms of measles may be similar to those of COVID-19 and influenza. If a symptomatic person tests negative for COVID-19 and/or influenza but develops a rash, they should be advised to continue isolating and be tested for measles.
People with measles are considered infectious from 24 hours prior to the onset of initial symptoms until 4 days after the rash appears. Measles is highly infectious and can spread through airborne droplets or contact with nose or throat secretions, as well as contaminated surfaces and objects. The measles virus can stay in the environment for up to 2 hours.
