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Victoria is facing its biggest measles outbreak in over ten years. So far in 2025, health officials have confirmed 23 cases — a big jump compared to last year. Most cases have been reported around Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire area.
Experts are especially worried because many people are catching measles within the community, not just from overseas travel.
Where People May Have Been Exposed
The Department of Health has listed several places in Melbourne where people might have been exposed to the virus, including:
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St Vincent’s Hospital Emergency Department, Fitzroy
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IGA Supermarket in Cockatoo
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Calēre Coffee in Fitzroy
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Coles supermarket in Collingwood
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Saint Haven gym in Collingwood
If you visited any of these places at the listed times, health officials recommend you watch for symptoms like fever, tiredness, cough, sore eyes, and a red, spotty rash. Symptoms can take up to 18 days to appear after you’ve been exposed.
Why Vaccination Is So Important
Doctors say that most of the people who got sick had not been vaccinated.
If you were born after 1966 and haven't had two doses of the measles vaccine (MMR vaccine), you can still get it for free in Victoria. Getting vaccinated protects not just you, but also the people around you.
Health experts are also urging anyone who plans to travel overseas — especially to Southeast Asia, Europe, or the United States — to make sure they are fully vaccinated. These places are seeing large measles outbreaks too.
Measles Cases Are Rising Across Australia
It’s not just Victoria. Across Australia, 59 measles cases have already been recorded in 2025 — more than the total number for all of 2024.
New South Wales and Victoria have reported the most cases so far this year.
Globally, countries like India, Thailand, and Indonesia are also seeing major outbreaks.
