WA Health has issued a reminder to people planning to travel overseas in the Christmas school holidays to ensure they are fully protected against measles, following two recently notified cases.
One case is an adult who is a returned overseas traveller from Vietnam, and the other a young child who is a household contact.
There have now been 56 cases of measles notified in WA in 2025 year to date.
Measles is highly contagious but preventable through vaccination.
Dr Paul Armstrong, Director Communicable Diseases Control Directorate, said it was a timely reminder for people planning overseas travel to check they have received two doses of the measles vaccine.
"There is an ongoing risk of measles being brought into WA from overseas, especially from popular holiday destinations in south and south-east Asian countries," he said.
"Anyone who is not immune is at risk of developing the disease if they are exposed.
"Measles can cause serious illness, particularly in young infants, and often requires hospitalisation.
"We are fortunate to have the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine which is extremely effective and free to all Western Australians.
"Infants aged 6 months to under 12 months are also eligible for a free MMR vaccine from their GP or at a travel clinic if they will be travelling overseas to a country with high levels of measles activity."
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 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.
