There has been an additional unrelated case of measles in a returned overseas traveller who may have been infectious whilst in the Point Cook area between Monday 4 February and Friday 8 February including:
- Monday 4 February – Wednesday 6 February – Public bus routes within the Point Cook area.
- Friday 8 February – Between Two Buns (B2B) burger restaurant, Hoppers Crossing and Urban Grill, Point Cook.
From the Victorian Acting Chief Health Officer
Key message
There has been an additional unrelated case of measles in a returned overseas traveller who may have been infectious whilst in the Point Cook area between Monday 4 February and Friday 8 February including:
- Monday 4 February – Wednesday 6 February – Public bus routes within the Point Cook area.
- Friday 8 February – Between Two Buns (B2B) burger restaurant, Hoppers Crossing and Urban Grill, Point Cook.
This is in addition to the previously reported confirmed case of measles in a returned overseas traveller who may have been infectious whilst in and around the Southbank area and Melbourne Airport between Monday 4 and Thursday 7 February 2019:
- Monday 4 February – 2 Southbank Blvd and 42 Balston Street, Southbank
- Tuesday 5 February – 2 Southbank Blvd and 42 Balston Street, Southbank
- Wednesday 6 February – 2 Southbank Blvd and 42 Balston Street, Southbank
- Thursday 7 February – 2 Southbank Blvd, Southbank; Skybus from Southern Cross Station to Melbourne Airport; Tullamarine Airport Terminal 3; Virgin Australia flight VA691 to Perth.
Be alert for measles in patients presenting with a fever at rash onset, particularly if they attended the above places in the 7-18 days prior to onset of illness.
Isolate suspected cases to minimise the risk of transmission within your department/practice.
Notify the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Section at the Department of Health and Human Services on 1300 651 160 of suspected cases immediately.
Take blood for measles serology in all suspected cases.
Discuss whether to take nose and throat swabs for PCR with the department if your suspicion for measles is high. Approval is required prior to PCR testing at the reference laboratory. PCR testing for measles does not attract a Medicare rebate.
Free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is now available from GPs and some pharmacies for all eligible adults born during or since 1966.
To minimise the risk of measles transmission within your department/practice:
- avoid keeping patients with a febrile rash illness in shared waiting areas
- give the suspected case a single-use mask and isolate them, until a measles diagnosis can be excluded
- leave vacant all consultation rooms used in the assessment of patients with suspected measles for at least 30 minutes after the consultation.
Identify patients who are susceptible to measles, especially those planning travel overseas, and offer free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Summary of recommendations
Be alert for new measles cases – ensure all staff, especially triage nurses, have a high index of suspicion for patients presenting with a febrile rash.
Notify suspected cases immediately to the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Section via telephone on 1300 651 160 (24 hours).
Take blood for serological confirmation.
Call the department to discuss the need for nose and throat swabs for PCR diagnosis. PCR testing for measles does not attract a Medicare rebate.
For further information please contact the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control section at the Department of Health and Human Services:
