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Measles alert in Melbourne after infected traveller roams far and wide across city

Modern medicine has minimised the danger of measles, which was one a leading cause of deaths in young children.

Modern medicine has minimised the danger of measles, which was one a leading cause of deaths in young children. Photo: AAP

A returned overseas traveller has triggered a health alert in Victoria after visiting a gym, a cafe and a football match while infected with measles.

The Department of Health raised the alarm about the case on Friday, declaring several premises exposure sites after the traveller visited them between June 23 and June 25.

Those who attended the sites were urged to be on the lookout for symptoms, wear a mask and call ahead to ensure they could be isolated from other people.

The measles case on June 23 visited a ground lease model project on Victoria Street in Flemington, along with Tiger Bread Bakery and Cafe at Flemington, Anytime Fitness at Rowville and The Corner at Wellington Village at Rowville.

Anyone who attended those sites between specific times on June 23 has been urged to monitor for symptoms until July 11.

The person attended the same ground lease model project and again visited the Tiger Bread Bakery and Cafe the following day on June 24.

People at those sites during specific times on June 24 are urged to watch for symptoms until July 12.

People who attended a juniors match between Rowville and Wantirna South Football Club at Schultz Reserve, Wantirna, on June 25 should keep a look out for symptoms until July 13, authorities said.

Measles usually begins with a fever, runny nose, cough and conjunctivitis, followed by a rash between three and four days after the first symptoms appear.

The rash generally starts on the face before it spreads to the rest of the body.

Measles spreads easily among people who are not fully vaccinated, and young children and adults with weakened immune symptoms are most at risk of becoming seriously ill.

“Measles is rare in Australia, thanks to widespread vaccination rates,” chief health officer Brett Sutton said.

“People who are planning to travel overseas should ensure they have received appropriate vaccinations, including MMR vaccine if they don’t have a history of two previous MMR vaccinations.”

A baby infected with measles sparked a health alert in western Sydney in April this year after being taken to a Wiggles concert as well as a number of other venues.

-AAP

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