WA Health is reminding anyone planning overseas travel to ensure they are fully protected against measles prior to departure.
The warning follows notification of three new measles cases in returned travellers from Bali, Indonesia.
The cases visited numerous venues in the Perth metropolitan area while unknowingly infectious, potentially exposing the public to measles. View the Measles Alert page for updated exposure locations.
Western Australia has recorded 33 measles cases in 2025, to date, compared to six in 2024.
Dr Paul Armstrong, Director Communicable Diseases Control Directorate, said it was a timely reminder to the community about the importance of maintaining up-to-date vaccinations, particularly as people may be planning to travel overseas during the October school holidays.
"The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is extremely effective and free for all Western Australians," he said.
"Adults aged between 30 to 60 years should get vaccinated if they do not have evidence of two doses of a measles vaccine.
"Children are routinely offered the MMR vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age, so if you have young children, it is likely they are already vaccinated.
"However, parents travelling with infants should discuss travel plans with their GP, as the measles vaccine schedule can be started from six months of age for infants travelling to high-risk areas.
"Measles is highly infectious and can cause serious illness, particularly in babies and young children and often requires hospitalisation, and in rare cases, blindness or even death."
Anyone who is not immune is at risk of developing the disease if they are exposed.
"Although measles is rare in Australia, we are seeing an increase in cases being brought in from overseas as it is a common illness in many countries around the world," Dr Armstrong said.
"These include popular holiday destinations for Western Australians such as Indonesia, India, Vietnam and other countries in south and southeast Asia."
Symptoms of measles include fever, fatigue, runny nose, red eyes as well as a cough, which is followed several days later by a prominent red rash. The rash usually starts on the face and head before spreading to the rest of the body.
Anyone returning from overseas who develops symptoms of measles should contact their GP to urgently arrange testing and seek medical care. They must call ahead to discuss their situation and wear a mask to prevent spreading the infection to others.
They can also contact healthdirect for advice on 1800 022 222.
