Australia was declared free of measles in 2014 thanks to widespread vaccination coverage. However, measles is still common in many countries, and recent measles cases have primarily been linked to international travellers. In 2024 a measles outbreak in Canada caused the county to lose its measles-free status. Measles elimination isn’t absolute, and the low number of measles cases in Australia doesn’t mean a resurgence of measles is impossible. In fact, a regional measles outbreak in WA in 2025 had more than 75 cases of measles reported.
There are over 100,000 measles deaths globally every year. While most of these are in countries where measles still exists, and the measles death rate might look low with only 1 in every 1000 cases dying, an outbreak of measles in Australia is still a scary possibility. This is especially true for new parents and teachers, as children are among the most vulnerable. The good news is that taking action to protect yourself and your loved ones is easy.
What is Measles?
For such a complex disease, a measles definition is fairly straightforward. Measles is a very contagious airborne disease that infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. It is one of the most contagious viral diseases known.
How Do You Get Measles?
The measles virus spreads in two ways: through air and through physical contact. When an infected person talks, breathes, coughs, or sneezes, they release tiny droplets which can contain the virus into the air.
The measles virus can stay infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room, meaning you can catch measles simply by entering a space where an infected person had been present earlier. Touching a surface contaminated with measles droplets and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes can also transfer the virus to your body.
Once the virus enters your body, it infects cells in the back of your throat and lungs. The virus then travels to nearby lymph nodes, before spreading through the bloodstream to reach your organs, including the skin, where it causes the characteristic rash.
The body’s immune system will recognise and fight the virus, typically clearing it within about 10–14 days for most healthy people. Once the immune system has cleared the virus, you usually develop lifelong immunity.
Complications of Measles
Measles can lead to serious and simpler complications. Common measles complications include ear infections, pneumonia, and diarrhoea. These can occur individually or together in between 5% and 10% of all cases.
However, measles can cause serious complications like encephalitis, a brain infection which occurs in around 1 in every 1000 cases and which can result in permanent brain damage. Children with measles can also develop a rare condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which may not appear until many years (typically 6–8 ) after the initial measles infection. SSP can cause personality changes, intellectual deterioration, muscle spasms, seizures, loss of vision, and eventually paralysis, coma, and death.
Signs and Symptoms of Measles
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that causes a wide variety of symptoms. However, most people with measles are infectious before they even know that they’re sick. Still, identifying the symptoms of a measles virus infection is an important step in the diagnosis of measles.
Measles usually starts with a flu-like high fever; common symptoms include cough, runny nose, and red, sore eyes over the first two weeks (also known as the prodromal phase). These are commonly referred to as the 3 C’s: cough, coryza (runny nose), conjunctivitis (red, watery eyes).
The two most sure signs of measles are when a rash appears and Koplik spots. These white spots appear on the inside of the cheeks in the mouth. The signature rash is red and blotchy, usually appearing on the face and upper neck in the first week before spreading to the rest of the body. Unlike chickenpox, the measles rash is generally not itchy.
What to Do if You Suspect Measles
Measles is an urgent notifiable condition, meaning a suspected diagnosis by a doctor must be immediately reported to the Department of Health. If you think you’ve been exposed to meals or know someone infected with measles, immediately contact your nearest hospital or health service public unit.
Keep anyone who has experienced exposure to measles as isolated from other people as you possibly can, wear a mask, and do not visit any other public places while waiting for help.
Prevention of Measles: Stopping the Spread of Measles
When it comes to measles precautions, there are really only two options. For children who have had contact with someone with measles, the risk can be reduced through a procedure known as post-exposure prophylaxis; exposure to an infection to prevent it from spreading further. A measles vaccination within the first 72 hours of measles exposure can reduce the severity of the infection if not prevent it outright. Immunoglobulin, a solution containing antibodies, can also be given within 6 days.
Vaccination: The MMR Vaccine
The only true way to prevent measles is with the measles vaccine. Two doses of measles vaccines are recommended to ensure reliability. The measles vaccine is given as part of the MMR (for measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine or the MMRV vaccine which includes chickenpox. Under the national immunisation program, children in Australia receive measles vaccines at 12 months (MMR) and 18 months of age (MMRV). You can arrange this with your GP.
How To Recover from Measles
There is no way to treat measles. Managing the disease is based around relieving symptoms and preventing complications while you wait it out.
If you’ve been exposed to measles, the best things you can do are to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take paracetamol to ease your discomfort while you continue to isolate until at least four days after the rash first appeared. Vitamin A and antibiotics may be prescribed by a doctor to reduce the risk of severe complications.
What You Can Do
As the world continues its progress toward measles and rubella elimination, it’s important to remember that until we eliminate measles it is still a risk, even here in Australia. The best thing you can do is to stay informed on information about measles, and to learn how to best care for someone who is sick.
Measles can affect everyone, but kids are one of the most at risk groups. The HLTAID012 (Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting) course covers how to recognise and respond to serious illnesses in children, manage emergency situations, and follow proper notification procedures. It’s not just for teachers; every new parent should take this course so they identify when their child is sick and know exactly how they should act. This knowledge can do more than just prevent disease, it could help save a life.
FAQs
What is Used to Make the Measles Vaccine?
The MMR vaccine contains live attenuated measles virus components, which means they’ve been weakened to trigger an immune response without triggering the disease itself. Other ingredients are sorbitol and gelatin (as stabilisers), neomycin sulfate (an antibiotic to prevent contamination), and human albumin (a protein that helps preserve the vaccine).
Who is at Risk of Measles Infection?
Anyone who hasn’t received 2 doses of the measles vaccine or hasn’t had measles is susceptible to infection. People who are immunocompromised, young children aged below 5 years, and pregnant women are at higher risk of measles due to their developing, ineffective, or hormone-impacted immune systems. Healthcare workers and childcare educators also face higher exposure risks due to their work.
Can You Get Measles After Being Vaccinated Against Measles?
Yes. Breakthrough measles infections can occur in vaccinated individuals, though they are uncommon and typically much milder. Vaccine immunity can decrease over time, and some peoples’ immune systems may not respond effectively to the vaccine due to an underlying health condition.
