In the past twelve months, there have been 41 reported cases of measles in Victoria, 21 of which occurred more recently in an outbreak in the inner northern suburbs of Melbourne.

What is measles?
Measles is a highly infectious virus causing a range of symptoms including flu-like muscle aches, fever, loss of appetite, a widespread rash including spots in the mouth, runny nose and eyes, sore throat and cough. It can also lead to long term and potentially fatal complications by infecting the lungs, ears and brain. It’s mode of transmission is from person-to-person via droplet spread from coughing and sneezing, as the virus is present within salivary and respiratory secretions. The virus can survive for up to two hours in a closed space where an infected person has coughed or sneezed. People can contract and spread the virus for several days before they even know that they are unwell.

The good news is that Measles is a vaccine-PREVENTABLE disease. All children are eligible for the 2 dose vaccination course administered before the age of 18 months as part of the routine Australian childhood vaccination schedule. However, vaccination is not limited to childhood and can be given at any age.

Why are we still seeing outbreaks of measles?
Despite a sharp decline in the number of measles cases following the introduction of vaccination in Australia in 1969, in recent decades there has been a worryingly small but growing trend amongst mothers choosing to not vaccinate their children, and as a result an increases in disease. For a vaccine to be effective, approximately 95% of the population must be vaccinated to create what is known as “herd immunity” to contain transmission and protect all. In nearly half of Australia’s suburbs, there is less than this required minimum to protect against outbreaks of this potentially deadly disease. We each have a collective responsibility to protect ourselves and others.