Another Measles Alert in Western Australia

Western Australians were recently told to be alert following a confirmed measles case in a traveler from Bali.

Infected while overseas, the person received care at a Perth metropolitan hospital and has spent time in the Perth and Midwest regions while infectious.

People who have visited an exposure location and times listed here should be vigilant for symptoms 18 days after exposure.

As of September 13, 2023, the Government of Western Australia's Health Department's Acting Director of Communicable Diseases, Dr. Jelena Maticevic, said public health staff contacted people exposed and where they are known.

"While there is no ongoing risk of measles at those locations, anyone who has visited one of the exposure locations at the same time as the case should monitor for symptoms and see a doctor if symptoms develop," Dr Maticevic added.

Western Australia reported its first measles cases in three years on April 20, 2023.

Due to high vaccination coverage, measles has been eliminated from Australia for around 25 years. Small outbreaks can occur, sparked by residents or visitors who get infected while overseas.

During September 2023, measles outbreaks continued to be reported in various countries, including the United States.

For example, India has confirmed 46,231 measles cases over the past year.

In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on September 8, 2023, a total of 22 measles cases were reported by 14 jurisdictions this year.

The CDC recommends international travelers speak with a healthcare provider about vaccination options before visiting measles-outbreak countries.

According to Statista, Western Australia is a popular place to visit.

In 2022, around 4.3 million domestic overnight visitors traveled to Perth, Australia. That same year, over 15 million domestic tourists went to Perth for the day.