Measles was eliminated from Australia. Experts warn US and Asia outbreaks may bring back this ‘heat-seeking missile’
There were 18 cases in NSW in 2024 – up from six in 2023 – while in Victoria there have already been 13 cases so far this year, compared with 16 in 2024
It’s wild that a disease I got in the 90’s was completely eradicated from the country 20 years later.
Measles sucks if you get it as an adult. Two miserable weeks of going from the bed to the bath and back again. I had spots everywhere on my body except my palms and eyeballs. And I mean everywhere. I still have scars all these later.
If your parents didn’t vaccinate you or if (like in my case) the vaccine didn’t exist when you were a kid, go get the MMR shot.
If your parents didn’t vaccinate you or if (like in my case) the vaccine didn’t exist when you were a kid, go get the MMR shot.
Also, if you were born between 1964-1994 in Australia you probably only had one dose if you did have the vaccine, so you should get a booster as an adult (since 2 doses is the general recommendation for lifetime protection).
See: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/measles/Pages/measles-vax-qanda.aspx
When you get a blood test you can have them check your measles antibody count if you’re personally concerned, as I was.
We already have measles outbreaks in Australia. It is back.
I think they’re drawing the distinction between small outbreaks - when the disease has to be reintroduced each time - and it becoming endemic (e.g. present in the community for more than 12 months).
Australia already has a pretty good system of screening animals that aren’t immunized to rabies from entering. They’re doing it because rabies does not exist in Australia. The same should be implemented for people. No proof of immunity – back where you came from, rat licker.
