News

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Warning issued as measles cases surge

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As Australia’s measles outbreak continues to grow, health officials across the country are ramping up their calls for medical professionals to help prevent new cases.
 
So far in 2025, 59 cases of measles have been reported across Australia, that is compared to 57 cases in the entirety of 2024.
 
Ten of this year’s cases have been in children aged four and younger, while the 25–29 aged group is the most affected.
 
As of 16 April, measles cases have been reported across the country:

• New South Wales – 20 cases
• Northern Territory – one case
• Queensland – two cases 
• South Australia – three cases
• Victoria – 18 cases
• Western Australia – 15 cases

Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory are yet to have any reported cases this year.
 
As these numbers continue to surge, Chief Medical Officer Professor Anthony Lawler has spoken out, saying while Australians ‘should not be alarmed’, precautions must be taken.
 
‘Australian epidemiologists continue working in the states and territories to trace the contacts of confirmed cases,’ he said.
 
‘There is a lot of information and misinformation about measles and the measles vaccination. People should always check the information they receive, and its source – especially before sharing.
 
‘Do not go to the clinic if you don’t want to infect people in the waiting room. Rather, call your doctor’s practice, and they will let you know the safest way to see them.’
 
However, many GPs practising today report having never seen a measles case outside of their medical textbooks.
 
One of those GPs is RACGP Vice President and WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman.
 
‘I’ve learnt about measles from a technical point of view, but I’ve never seen measles or diagnosed it as a case, and it’s not just me, there are several other colleagues of mine in a similar situation,’ she told newsGP.
 
‘Because we’re in this changing environment, and due to the declining vaccination rates globally, we’re starting to see this outbreak.
 
‘The key message is not to alarm anyone, but to be vigilant.’
 
Dr Raman has teamed up with The Good GP podcast to create a practical video for GPs, focusing on diagnosis and prevention.
 
Meanwhile, in response to WA’s outbreak, the state’s Acting Director of Communicable Disease Control Directorate Dr Jelena Maticevic has urged health professionals to remain alert, particularly with returned overseas travellers.
 
‘Ensure all staff have a high index of suspicion for measles in patients presenting with a febrile rash,’ she said.
 
In Victoria, the state’s Chief Health Officer Dr Tarun Weeramanthri issued a measles alert for the entire greater Melbourne area.
 
‘The number of measles cases who acquired their infection in the greater Melbourne area is increasing,’ he said.
 
‘In addition, there is an ongoing risk of measles importation in Victoria in travellers returning from overseas or interstate.’
 
NSW Health has issued similar warnings, including confirming that patients with measles visited locations around Sydney while infectious.
 
These warnings come as the tracing of several confirmed cases show they were sitting in hospital waiting rooms while infectious.
 
Dr Raman said with measles being so contagious, GPs must have a high suspicion for it.
 
‘People who may be at risk are those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, travellers returning from areas of outbreaks, and individuals with a weakened immune system.
 
‘There is a risk of exposure because it’s so infectious and it’s transmitted via airborne droplets sharing the same airspace, for example in a waiting room, we’ve got to clear people out for 30 minutes after that suspected case has left the room.
 
‘Practices need to plan ahead, maybe have a separate room, but the other option is actually being alert about it and educating practice teams to triage some patients over the phone, and having some signs up so there’s patient awareness as well.’
 
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infectious disease measles

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