Australia has observed an increase in measles cases, attributed to international travel and a reported decline in early childhood vaccination rates. In response, health authorities have issued public exposure alerts for various locations across multiple states and updated vaccination guidance for infant travelers.
Overview of Cases and Trends
Australia reported 180 measles cases in 2025, which represents an increase from 57 cases in 2024 and 26 cases in 2023. Early in the current year, four cases have been identified, with three in Queensland and one in Victoria.
Several states have reported recent clusters and individual cases:
- Western Australia reported 60 cases by late December.
- South Australia recorded seven cases in the previous year.
- A cluster of seven cases, termed the "Boxing Day cluster," originated from a single international traveler.
- New South Wales confirmed three cases involving individuals returning from Southeast Asia within a recent week.
- Victoria reported a separate case involving an adult returning from Bali.
Professor Peter Collignon, a microbiologist at the Australian National University, stated that there is no immediate threat of a national measles epidemic, noting that Australia's vaccination rates remain higher than some other countries. However, he indicated that reduced immunization rates facilitate easier virus transmission, identifying international travel as a primary factor for current infections.
Vaccination Coverage and Public Health Advice
Data from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) indicates that Australia's early childhood vaccination coverage for two-year-olds has decreased to 89.7%, falling below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity. This condition had not been observed in the preceding decade. Additionally, the number of children receiving their first measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) dose on schedule dropped by 11.4 percentage points compared to pre-pandemic levels. The decline in immunization rates for two-year-olds below 90% has been noted as a concern.
Professor Michael Kidd, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective defense against measles, with the MMR vaccine offering 99% protection after two doses. Routine doses are administered at 12 and 18 months of age under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
The vaccine is provided free for:
- Children at 12 and 18 months of age.
- Individuals under 20 requiring catch-up vaccination.
- Refugees and humanitarian entrants.
- Adults born in or after 1966 who have not received two doses (in South Australia and nationally).
- Children aged six months to less than 12 months who are traveling overseas (in South Australia).
Health authorities advise all Australians to confirm their vaccination status. Individuals born in or after 1966 who have not received two doses of the MMR vaccine are eligible for a free booster.
Public Exposure Alerts
Health authorities in South Australia and New South Wales issued alerts following the identification of measles exposure sites linked to an adult who acquired the infection overseas. This individual traveled from Adelaide to Sydney on December 29 while infectious.
Identified Public Exposure Locations:
- Marion Westfield Shopping Centre, South Australia: Friday, December 26, from 7:15 PM to 7:55 PM, and again from 10:40 PM to 11:20 PM.
- Event Cinemas Marion, Westfield Shopping Centre, South Australia: Friday, December 26, from 7:15 PM to 11:10 PM.
- Cockles Cafe, Port Elliot, South Australia: Sunday, December 28, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM.
- Adelaide Airport: Monday, December 29, from 6:40 PM to 8:00 PM.
- Qantas Flight QF748: Departing Adelaide on December 29 at 7:30 PM, arriving in Sydney at 10:30 PM.
- Sydney Airport Domestic Arrivals Hall Terminal 3: Monday, December 29, from 10:30 PM to 11:00 PM.
- Macquarie Centre, New South Wales: December 27, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm.
- Waitara Family Medical Practice, New South Wales: December 29, 9 am - 10:30 am.
- Westfield Hornsby (food court and Kmart), New South Wales: December 30, 12:30 pm - 3 pm.
- Hornsby Ku-ring-gai hospital emergency department, New South Wales: December 31, 5:15 pm - 8 pm.
- Concord Repatriation General Hospital emergency department, New South Wales: January 3, 1:00 PM – 4:10 PM.
Individuals present at these locations during the specified times are advised to monitor for measles symptoms. Monitoring periods extend until January 16 for Qantas flight/Sydney terminal exposures and January 21 for Concord Hospital emergency department exposure. If symptoms develop, individuals are advised to contact a doctor by phone prior to arrival at a clinic or hospital to enable precautions against further transmission.
Measles Information and Prevention
Measles is a highly contagious, airborne virus that can remain viable in a room for up to 30 minutes after an infectious person has departed. A single infected individual can transmit the virus to approximately 20 other people in an unvaccinated population. Prior to the introduction of the first vaccine in the 1960s, measles was common in Australian childhood, with approximately one in 10,000 cases proving fatal.
Typical symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sore eyes
- A characteristic blotchy red rash that typically starts on the head and spreads downwards across the body several days later.
Potential complications can include pneumonia and encephalitis.
Updated Vaccination Guidance for Travelers
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated its guidance to enhance protection for infants traveling internationally. The new recommendation advises children aged six to 11 months to receive an additional dose of a measles-containing vaccine before international travel. This early dose is intended to provide temporary protection during increased exposure risks overseas and does not replace the routine doses administered under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) at 12 and 18 months.
For infants aged six to 11 months who receive an MMR dose before international travel, this early dose must be followed by two further measles-containing vaccine doses. The next dose of MMR vaccine should be administered at 12 months of age or four weeks after the first dose, whichever occurs later. The final dose, an MMRV vaccine, should be given at 18 months of age as per routine recommendations. An early dose given between 11 months and before 12 months of age does not require repetition.