FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – Authorities in Victoria have issued a health alert following a surge in measles cases, including a new infection reported in a traveler returning from Pakistan. The traveler was infectious on a flight from Dubai to Melbourne on April 24, the Victorian Department of Health said Monday.
The department reported 22 confirmed measles cases in 2025, surpassing the combined totals for 2023 and 2024. Most cases have been locally acquired in Melbourne and surrounding areas, raising concerns about vaccination rates and public health.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Tarun Weeramanthri, warned of an increased risk of measles in greater Melbourne and the neighboring Mitchell Shire. “The majority of recent cases have arisen in people who have not had two documented doses of the MMR vaccine,” he said, emphasizing the ongoing risk of imported cases due to rising global measles rates.
Residents who spent time in affected areas from early April are urged to monitor for symptoms, including fever, cough, and rash. Measles spreads through airborne droplets or contact with secretions, and vaccination coverage in Australia has fallen below the 95% target since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MMR vaccine is free for anyone who has not received two doses, and health officials are encouraging residents to ensure their vaccinations are up to date.