Three new measles cases have been recorded in Western Australia, amid grave fears the outbreak will worsen.
There are now eight cases of the highly contagious disease across the state, days after more than a dozen exposure sites were identified across the state’s south-west, including Bunbury Regional Hospital.
Two new cases were recorded at Bunbury Regional Hospital while the other has been confined to Perth’s Hakea Prison.
More than 40 exposures sites have been listed across Perth and the state’s south-west in the past three weeks.
Health officials expect cases to rise.
‘The bad news is that measles is really infectious, in fact it may be the most infectious disease known to humans,’ WA Health acting director of communicable diseases Paul Effler said.
At least 37 confirmed cases of measles have been recorded nationwide in 2025, including 14 in Victoria and 13 in NSW.
The latest outbreak comes after three cases were detected in the Newcastle/Lake Macquarie region in NSW.
The number of measles cases across Western Australia has grown to eight
Health officials expect the measles outbreak to rise with dozens of exposure sites listed (stock image)
Symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore eyes, a cough followed by a red, blotchy rash.
The disease can be fatal, especially for young children, if left untreated but is preventable through vaccination
It can take up to 21 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure.
Aussies aged 30-60 are urged to ensure their vaccinations history is up to date and that they’ve had two rounds of the measles vaccine.
‘It is important that anyone under 60, who has not received two doses of the measles vaccine – and has visited an exposure location – should monitor for symptoms particularly fever and respiratory illness,’ Dr Effler said.
‘Babies under 12-months-old are also at risk if they are exposed to someone who is infectious with measles as they are too young to be fully immunised,’
