Victoria Health issues measles alert after outbreak on Qantas flight

Victoria Health issues measles alert after outbreak on Qantas flight

The Victorian Government has revealed that three new measles cases have been identified in returned travellers on a Qantas Singapore-Melbourne flight.

Two of these related cases were infectious on their return flight from Singapore to Melbourne. Contact tracing is underway with passengers on the flight having been notified.

Victoria Health said that those who were on Qantas flight QF36, which departed Singapore on 14 November and landed in Melbourne on the 15th at 6:10am, should monitor for the onset of symptoms up to 3 December. Victoria Health also said that Melbourne Airport international arrivals, who were at the airport between 6:10am to 8:40am on 15 November, should also monitor for symptoms.

The department also wrote: “Anyone who presents with signs and symptoms compatible with measles should be tested and notified to the department.

“There should be an especially high level of suspicion if they have travelled overseas or visited any of the areas listed above and are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated for measles.”

The Victorian Department of Health warned that measles symptoms can develop 7-18 days after exposure and that those who have not yet received their measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine should do so.

It also recommended that anyone planning overseas travel should ensure they have received vaccinations appropriate for that travel.

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