WA measles alert after two more cases related to overseas travel reported, exposure sites revealed

Health authorities are urging West Aussies to ensure their measles immunisations are up to date ahead of the school holidays after another two cases related to overseas travel were reported.

Contact tracing is underway after the cases, associated with overseas travel to Bali, visited almost a dozen locations across Perth’s northern suburbs while infectious between August 26 and September 6.

The first listed site is Qantas flight QF2925 from Christmas Creek Mine to Perth on the morning of August 26.

“Anyone who has visited a listed exposure location during the dates and times specified should monitor for symptoms of measles,” a public health alert said.

Exact exposure times are yet to be confirmed for half a dozen of those sites, which include supermarkets and and a service station.

“There is an ongoing risk of measles being brought into WA from overseas, especially from popular holiday destinations such as South East Asia,” Communicable Diseases Control Directorate acting director Clare Huppatz said.

Dr Huppatz reminded families that WA Health had recently expanded the State-funded immunisation program to include the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccines for infants between six and 11 months who were travelling to countries with high measles activity.

Immunisation is recommended at least two weeks before departure.

If an infant receives an additional MMR jab before 12 months, they will still need the routine two doses offered under the National Immunisation Program.

It brings WA’s total measles caseload to 35, almost six times the six cases recorded in 2024 and the most across Australia in 2025.

Fifteen of the cases have been identified between July and September, five of which were returned overseas travellers and 10 locally acquired.

The highly transmissible virus can cause serious illness, particularly in infants. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, runny nose, red eyes and a cough.

It is followed several days later by a prominent red rash, which typically starts on the face and head before spreading to the rest of the body.

Anyone returning from overseas who develops symptoms should contact their GP to urgently. Call ahead to discuss the situation and wear a mask to prevent spreading the infection to others.

For the most up to date list of exposure sites, visit the public health alert online.

NEW EXPOSURE SITES

• Saturday, Sept 6, 10am to midday, Dan Murphy’s Butler, 150 Camborne Parkway, Butler
• Saturday, Sept 6, 10am to midday, Coles Brighton (Brighton Village Shopping Centre), 6 Kingsbridge Boulevard, Butler
• Sunday, Aug 31, time unknown, Woolworths Clarkson, 19 Neerabup Road, Clarkson
• Sunday, Aug 31, time unknown, Carine Glades Shopping Centre, 485 Beach Road, Duncraig
• Saturday, Aug 30, time unknown, Woolworths Clarkson, 19 Neerabup Road, Clarkson
• Friday, Aug 29, time unknown, BP Jindalee, 2 Abello Boulevard, Jindalee
• Thursday, Aug 28, time unknown, Aldi Butler, 77 Butler Boulevard, Butler
• Wednesday Aug 27, time unknown, Woolworths Clarkson, 19 Neerabup Road, Clarkson
• Wednesday, Aug 27, time unknown, Carine Glades Shopping Centre, 485 Beach Road, Duncraig
• Tuesday, Aug 26, 10am to 11am, Perth Airport, Terminal 3, Miller Road, Perth
• Tuesday, Aug 26, 8.30am to 10.30am, Qantas Flight QF2925, Christmas Creek Mine to Perth

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