Australian health officials have issued a fresh warning about two highly contagious diseases which are being contracted overseas and brought back into the country.
Health officials have issued a public warning for measles in Sydney.
It follows a woman contracting the disease in Western Sydney.
It is believed she picked up the case from an infant who was diagnosed earlier this month.
Multiple exposure sites have been flagged across Sydney including Westpoint Blacktown.
Authorities are advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms, but say there is no ongoing risk to the public.
According to the department, ten measles cases have been reported in the state this year.
Five of those are from returned overseas travellers and five are linked to them.
There has further been an increase in mpox, or monkeypox, cases this year, which have also been acquired from overseas travel – particularly in the northern hemisphere.
Ten measles cases have been reported in Victoria this year. Picture: Getty North America.
Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker urged Australians to see their doctor before they travel overseas.
“It’s best to see your doctor six to eight weeks before you travel to ensure you have the best protection,” she said in a statement.
“This includes anyone travelling to visit friends and family, or people travelling to their countries of birth.”
She said Victorians returning from international travel were a significant source of the nation’s measles cases.
Australians are advised to receive two doses of the monkeypox vaccine before travelling. Picture: Hollie Adams/Getty Images.
“Travellers should ensure they have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine,” she said.
Dr Looker also emphasised the risk of contracting mpox, with case numbers in Victoria this year “greater than the whole of last year”.
A statement issued earlier this week revealed there have been 16 confirmed cases of mpox in Victoria since 18 April 2024.
Thirteen of these cases were locally acquired.
Those most at risk of contracting the disease include men who have sex with men.
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Anyone travelling to countries with active mpox outbreaks are advised to make time to receive two doses of the mpox vaccine, 28 days apart.
The vaccine is available through more than 250 providers across Victoria.
“Being up to date with influenza and COVID-19 vaccination before travel is also important to protect yourself while travelling,” Dr Looker said.
“Any returned traveller who develops illness after returning home, such as a fever, new rash or diarrhoea, should seek medical advice immediately,” she said.
It comes after NSW Health issued a new measles alert for south-west Sydney last week after a child visited several locations while infectious.
NSW Health said the child recently returned to Sydney from the Middle East where there have been outbreaks of the highly infectious illness in several countries.