Urgent health warning for Aussie state as outbreak of contagious disease spreads

By KYLIE STEVENS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 15:44 BST, 30 March 2025 | Updated: 17:22 BST, 30 March 2025

Three new measles cases have been recorded in Western Australia, amid grave fears the outbreak will worsen.

There are now eight cases of the highly contagious disease across the state, days after more than a dozen exposure sites were identified across the state’s south-west, including Bunbury Regional Hospital.

Two new cases were recorded at the hospital while the other has been confined to Perth’s Hakea Prison.

More than 40 exposures sites have been listed across Perth and the state’s south-west in the past three weeks, including shopping centres, playgrounds, medical centres and cafes.

Four cases were linked to Bunbury Regional Hospital while the other four were linked to Hakea Prison and Bunbury Regional Prison.

Health officials expect cases to rise.  

‘The bad news is that measles is really infectious, in fact it may be the most infectious disease known to humans,’ WA Health acting director of communicable diseases Paul Effler said.

At least 39 confirmed cases of measles have been recorded nationwide in 2025, including 14 in Victoria and 13 in NSW.

The number of measles cases across Western Australia has grown to eight

Health officials expect the measles outbreak to rise with dozens of exposure sites listed (stock image)

The latest outbreak comes after three cases were detected in the Newcastle/Lake Macquarie region in NSW.

Authorities are now working with Bunbury Hospital staff to prevent further infection.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can spread via airborne droplets to people nearby.

It can be fatal if left untreated but is preventable through vaccination.

Initial symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough followed by a red, blotchy rash several days later which starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

Anyone who visited the listed exposure sites is urged to be vigilant for symptoms for seven to 18 days post-exposure.

It can take up to 21 days for symptoms to appear.

Aussies aged 30-60 are also urged to ensure their vaccinations history is up to date and that they’ve had two rounds of the measles vaccine.

Initial measles symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough followed by a red, blotchy rash (stock image)

‘It is important that anyone under 60, who has not received two doses of the measles vaccine – and has visited an exposure location – should monitor for symptoms particularly fever and respiratory illness,’ Dr Effler said. 

‘Our immunisation rates are really high at about 90 per cent but because measles is so infectious, you need to have about 95 per cent of people fully vaccinated.

‘Making sure you are protected is especially important for people planning overseas travel as there are measles outbreaks occurring in several countries throughout the world.

‘Babies under 12-months-old are also at risk if they are exposed to someone who is infectious with measles as they are too young to be fully immunised.’

Australia recorded 57 measles cases in 2024, up from 26 the year prior.

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Urgent health warning for Aussie state as outbreak of contagious disease spreads

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