Measles cases reached minimal records in Australia during Covid-19 pandemic, but are increasing again, since highly contagious infection resurfaces throughout the world.
Endemic measles was eliminated in Australia in 2014 and, although sprouts are still produced throughout the country, most cases date back to infections abroad.
These outbreaks are also rapidly contained to prevent the infection spreading and the last time Australia registered more than 60 cases in a single year was in 2019.
But measles is experiencing a resurgence worldwide, with outbreaks registered in several countries frequented by Australian travelers, including the United States, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Other countries that currently experience outbreaks include Yemen, Pakistan, India, Ethiopia, Romania and Afghanistan.
Here is everything you need to know about measles in Australia, including current outbreaks and vaccination information.
Is there a measles outbreak in Australia now?
A series of measles cases in Australia have been reported in 2025, however, the Australian Health Department has indicated that the current cases of cases are alongside the figures of the previous year.
In the first three months of 2025, New South Wales and Victoria have registered 13 cases each.
At least two cases have also been reported in Western Australia, including one in February in which the infected individual attended a Drake concert at the Rac Arena de Perth.
Can you get measles if you have vaccinated you?
Studies estimate that one in 100 people who have received two measles vaccine doses will develop measles if exposed to infection. It is not clear why.
Vaccinated people tend to develop softer symptoms.
Is the measles vaccine safe?
Measles vaccines are a proven way to protect from infection and are available for most Australians.
In Australia, the combined measles vaccine is recommended for children at 12 and 18 months and is free under the National Immunization Program.
Babies can be vaccinated as six -month young people in some circumstances, as if traveling abroad.
The vaccination is administered in the form of a MMR vaccine (measles, paper, rubella) at 12 months and the MMRV vaccine (measles, paper, rubella, chickenpox) at 18 months.
Some people are also eligible for a free vaccination to catch up if recommended and were not vaccinated as children.
According to the Department of Health and Care of the Government of Australia, all persons born during or since 1966 should have received two doses of vaccine containing sarampos or medical test of immunity to measles, paper and rubella.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles symptoms usually appear seven to 18 days after infection.
The best known measles symptoms are a disease similar to the flu, which usually lasts two to four days, and a stained red eruption.
The eruption usually appears on the neck or face of two to seven days after the symptoms begin, then spread to the body. It does not fit, but it can last four or seven days.
Other common measles symptoms include:
- fever
- cough
- rhinorrhea
- fatigue
- conjunctivitis
- White spots called Koplik spots
In severe cases, which are not uncommon, other complications may arise, including pulmonary infection (pneumonia), ear infection and cerebral inflammation (encephalitis).
When was the last M?Australia measles outbreak in Australia?
Although the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Australia had eliminated endemic measles in 2014, there have been several outbreaks contained in later years.
These outbreaks generally begin when an Australian resident travels abroad, is infected, then returns to Australia, where the infection spreads.
The most significant increase in measles numbers in recent years was in 2019, when more than 280 measles cases were recorded (almost three times the number that had been recorded the previous year) in more than 30 outbreaks.
Most outbreaks date back to Australian residents who returned from abroad.
Blocks and social distancing regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic saw the numbers of collapsed cases only 25 in 2020 and zero in 2021.
Only seven cases were recorded in 2022, followed by 26 in 2023 and 57 in 2024.
Where Australia is located in countries with the greatest liberties of health
How can I track measles outbreaks and health alerts?
Stay in the current measles outbreaks and health alerts by monitoring the Department of Websites of the Health Department of your Government:
