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Are you at risk? Measles spike prompts immunisation warnings

13 February, 2024 . 0

With the number of measles cases in Australia surging, we’re being urged to check our immunisation history.

Authorities are warning Australians to be cautious of a potential measles outbreak with new cases on the rise.

This comes after a confirmed case in south Brisbane, on top of several in New South Wales and the Gold Coast.

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness spread through coughing and sneezing.

The virus remains active and contagious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours and can lead to serious health complications, including potentially fatal infections of the lungs and brain.

A Harvard University study revealed a measles infection can suppress the immune system for up to a month after infection and destroy certain antibody-producing cells, leaving the patient open to attack by pathogens they once carried a defence against.

More than 280 cases of measles were recorded in Australia in 2019 – almost three times more than in 2018 – and health authorities believe COVID-19 may have led to many children missing measles vaccine doses.

Australia impacted by global outbreaks

Immunisation specialist at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Dr Lucy Deng says Aussies travelling overseas are bringing the infection back home, often unknowingly.

In February 2024, Australian health authorities have urged for middle-aged Aussies to check if they are fully immunised from measles.

This is particularly if they are returning from their travels in Asia, including Pakistan and India, where ongoing measles outbreaks have been detected.

“Measles is incredibly contagious – if you’re not fully vaccinated and you’re in the same vicinity as someone who has measles, you’ve a 90 per cent chance of catching it,” says Dr Deng.

Measles symptoms to look out for

Measles starts with fever, runny nose, a cough, red eyes and sore throat, followed by a red blotchy rash that spreads all over the body.

Symptoms usually start about 10 to 12 days after catching the virus and last for around 14 days.

You can be contagious for days before you get the tell-tale rash, meaning you can spread the virus without even knowing you have it, Dr Deng advises.

“The virus can also survive on surfaces for up to two hours, meaning that as well as getting it from the air, you can catch it by touching infected surfaces,” she says.

Born between 1966 and 1994?

You need two doses of the measles vaccine to be protected against the virus, so for adults born between 1966 and 1994 that may mean a catch-up dose.

“While we’ve had the vaccine in Australia since 1968, a two-dose program was only introduced in 1992,” Dr Deng explains.

“That means a very large cohort of Australians, many of whom love to travel, think they’re safe because they’ve been told by their parents they’ve been vaccinated, but that may not be the case.”

The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is included in the National Immunisation Program and there’s no harm in having it if you’re unsure whether you’ve had two doses.

Measles is a preventable disease

Despite having potentially devastating consequences, measles is entirely preventable through a safe and affordable vaccination program.

“With global vaccination, we have the power and the ability to eradicate this illness, which is deadly to babies who are not yet immunised and to the immunocompromised, particularly those in developing countries,” says Pathology Awareness Australia microbiologist Dr Petra Derrington.

According to the WHO, global vaccination coverage for the first dose has stagnated at 85 per cent – 10 per cent short of the optimal coverage needed to prevent outbreaks.

For more on staying safe from outbreaks:

Written by Liz McGrath, originally published on 24 April 2019. Updated in February 2021. Updated in February 2024.