As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the threat of infectious diseases crossing borders is a constant concern, particularly for diseases as highly contagious as measles. Despite Australia’s success in declaring measles eliminated from the country in 2014, recent outbreaks in the US and Asia have raised alarms about the potential for this ‘heat-seeking missile’ of a virus to make a comeback on Australian shores.
The recent confirmation of five measles cases in Victoria on 14 March has put health authorities on high alert. With global case numbers on the rise in regions such as Vietnam, Thailand, India, Africa, Europe, the UK, the Middle East, and the US, the risk of measles re-establishing itself in the country is a real and present danger.
The World Health Organization (WHO) may have declared measles eliminated from Australia, but the term ‘eliminated’ doesn’t mean the disease is gone forever. It simply means that the country had no continuous transmission of the disease for over 12 months. However, small outbreaks can and do occur, particularly due to the high volume of international travel by Australians.
Anita Heywood, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the University of New South Wales School of Population Health, explains that non-immune travellers can contract measles abroad and bring it back to the country, potentially sparking an outbreak among other non-immune individuals.
The situation is reportedly exacerbated by Australia’s vaccination rates, which, while high, still fall short of the WHO’s recommended 95 per cent target needed to maintain herd immunity. Herd immunity is critical because it prevents the spread of infection within the community by ensuring a sufficient proportion of the population is immune, either through vaccination or previous infection.
Dr Tim Jones, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners’ specific interests group for child and young person’s health, highlights that without this level of immunity, the population is vulnerable.
As of now, 92.21 per cent of two-year-old children in Australia have been vaccinated against measles. This vaccination involves two doses of the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, administered at 12 and 18 months of age.
However, there are concerning ‘pockets of under-vaccination’ in certain regions, such as the Richmond Valley in northern NSW and Queensland’s Noosa hinterland, as well as in some inner-city areas of Melbourne and Sydney, according to Prof Margie Danchin from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI).
The most at-risk groups for measles include unvaccinated individuals, adults who may have received only one dose of the vaccine, children under one year of age who are too young for vaccination, and immuno-compromised individuals who cannot receive live vaccines. The latter group includes those with cancer or those on immuno-suppressive medications.
The importance of vaccination is underscored by the severe complications that can arise from measles, such as pneumonia and encephalitis (brain swelling).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia’s closed borders kept measles at bay with no cases in 2021. However, since reopening, there has been a noticeable uptick in cases, with 57 in 2024 and 28 in the first three months of 2025 alone. This is a stark contrast to the six cases in 2023 and the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
Measles is notoriously contagious, with Prof Danchin describing it as ‘the most infectious virus we know.’
According to Dr Jones, up to nine out of ten susceptible individuals who are not immunised or under-immunised will contract the disease if exposed to an infected person. Moreover, the virus is most contagious before the most obvious symptoms, such as a rash and spots on the gums, appear.
To protect yourself and your community, first and foremost, you should check your vaccination status. This can be done through the Australian Immunisation Register, by consulting with a GP—and for children, checking with parents about past vaccinations.
The MMR vaccine is free for all Australians, and catch-up doses are available at GP offices and, in some states, at council immunisation clinics.
For babies aged six to 11 months who are travelling to areas with outbreaks, an early additional MMR dose is recommended, although they will still need the regular vaccinations at 12 and 18 months. In the event of exposure, immuno-compromised individuals can receive immunoglobulin antibodies via injection within six days of exposure.
We at YourLifeChoices urge you to stay informed about your vaccination status and to contribute to the health and safety of the community by ensuring you and your loved ones are protected against measles. Have you checked your vaccination records lately? Share your thoughts and experiences with fellow readers in the comments below.
Also read: A silent stowaway as measles spreads from Southeast Asia to Australia
