Urgent warning after person infected with measles in Victoria

Health authorities have issued an urgent warning after a person visited shops, supermarkets and a university in Melbourne’s southeast while infected with measles.

Victoria’s Department of Health said the person was infected with the highly contagious viral illness by a returned traveller in Victoria.

While infectious, the person is understood to have visited a number of busy locations between March 14 and 19, including the Glen Shopping Centre and Monash University.

Chief health officer Professor Ben Cowie urged families to ensure they were vaccinated against measles as unlike recent infections “this case was acquired in Victoria”.

“People can be administered MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure to measles to prevent infection,” he said.

“Failing that, we recommend that people monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if any symptoms develop.”

The full list of potential exposure sites includes:

March 14

• Church of Secular Coffee – 2-3pm
• Bus route 737 from Monash University to the Glen Shopping Centre – 2.30-3.30pm
• The Glen Shopping Centre – 3-4pm
• JB Hi-Fi The Glen – 3.10pm-4.20pm
• Laurent Bakery – 3.40-4.20pm
• Portmans The Glen – 3.30-4.20pm
• Bus route 737 from Glen Shopping Centre to Monash University – 4-4.50pm

March 15

• Learning and Teaching Building, Clayton campus Monash University – 2-4.30pm
• Subway Monash University – 4.45-5.30pm
• Monash Merchant – 4.45-5.30pm

March 16

• Monash University Shuttle Bus – 11.20am-12pm
• M-City Shopping Centre – 11.25am-1.40pm
• Kmart Clayton (in M-City) – 11.30am-1.40pm
• Woolworths Clayton M City – 11.30am-1.40pm
• Monash University Shuttle Bus – 1-1.50pm

March 18

• Monash Residential Service (MRS) front office – 5-5.30pm
• Monash Residential Service Halls Cafe – 6.30-7.30pm
• Monash Merchant Clayton – 6.45-7.30pm

March 19

• Monash Campus Pharmacy – 8.40-9.15am

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can spread from person-to-person and potentially lead to serious health complications.

While widespread outbreaks have been reported in countries such as Azerbaijan and Ethiopia, it is largely uncommon in Australia.

The illness usually begins with common cold-like symptoms, such as a running nose and cough, which is followed by a fever or a rash.