• EXPLORE FURTHER: Why vaccinated individuals should still be concerned about measles

A critical health alert has been released following the infection of three individuals with measles who have traveled through multiple areas in New South Wales.

Three individuals, including an unvaccinated traveler returning from Vietnam, have tested positive following visits to multiple sites in Lake Macquarie and Newcastle.

Residents have been advised to stay vigilant for indications of measles such as fever, runny nose, irritated eyes, a persistent cough, and later developing into a red, patchy rash.

If not treated, this illness can be deadly, particularly for young children.

'Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes,' Director of Public Health for Hunter New England Local Health District Dr David Durrheim said.

It may take as long as 21 days for signs of illness to show following an exposure, hence individuals who have been to these places should monitor themselves for symptoms over a period of three weeks from the specified dates.

Dr. Durrheim advised individuals observing symptoms to contact their general practitioner or emergency room beforehand to prevent potential exposure to others.

"We urge everyone in the community to ensure they are current with their vaccinations. If administered promptly following exposure, the measles vaccine can stop the disease from developing," he stated.

NSW Health officials have recommended that residents who were present at the site simultaneously with an infected individual should watch out for any signs of illness.

The places mentioned are as follows: The Charleston Soccer Field from 2 PM to 5 PM on March 1st; The emergency department of Belmont Hospital from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM on March 10th and again from 11 AM to 6 PM on March 23rd; And the Go Vita Lake Haven Shopping Centre ranging from 11 AM to 2 PM on March 2nd and from 10 AM to 4 PM on March 16th.

People who visited the Go Vita Mount Hutton shopping center between 11 AM and 5 PM on March 17 were advised to keep an eye out for any signs of illness.

The MMR vaccine is provided at no cost to children when they reach 12 and 18 months old. Additionally, in New South Wales, it is available without charge to individuals born after 1965 who have not yet received two doses of the vaccine.

The most recent information provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that the measles outbreak in Vietnam "is still actively continuing."

"We continue to observe rising case counts in central and northern regions of Vietnam, including newly emerged outbreaks in areas that had previously not reported any cases or clusters," according to their most recent update.

Government bodies warned Australians traveling to countries abroad To stay alert during the outbreak and make sure you get vaccinated against measles.

In NSW, officials Confirmed 10 instances of measles during the initial quarter of 2025.

Experts have voiced worries that Australia might turn into a breeding ground for measles to establish itself.

The World Health Organization announced that measles had been eliminated from Australia in 2014.

Since then, small outbreaks have taken place due to the frequent travels of Australians.

Experts are worried since Australia falls short of the WHO's recommendations. recommended The objective is to achieve a 95 percent vaccination rate.

Without meeting the target, Australia does not have 'herd immunity'.

At present, approximately 92.21 percent of two-year-olds in the nation have been vaccinated against measles.

The vaccine specialist from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Professor Margie Danchin, informed The Guardian There is 'a fertile ground where we face significant issues with under-vaccination due to our substantial resources.'

The measles virus is the most contagious one we know; it acts like a heat-seeking missile," she stated. "In populations with insufficient vaccination coverage, it spreads rapidly.

In areas such as the Richmond Valley in New South Wales and the Noosa Hinterland in Queensland, approximately 70 to 75 percent of residents have been vaccinated.

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