Measles cases are on the rise in Australia, and health experts are concerned about the potential consequences. With 22 cases reported this year, the country is mirroring a global trend of increased measles spread. The situation is particularly alarming in Queensland, where eight cases have been recorded, and New South Wales, where seven cases have been identified. Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia have also reported cases, according to the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) data as of February 6th.
Health authorities in Victoria have linked the recent surge in measles cases to overseas travel, noting that outbreaks have been reported in popular travel destinations like Indonesia, Thailand, and India. Indonesia, Australia's favorite international travel destination in 2023, saw a high number of cases between June and November 2025, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Two experts interviewed by SBS News attributed the rise in measles infection rates to increased international travel post-COVID-19 restrictions, vaccine skepticism, and underestimation of measles severity. Paul Griffin, an infectious disease physician and clinical microbiologist, emphasized the danger of measles, stating that about one in 1,000 to one in 10,000 cases lead to severe complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation, which can be fatal or cause permanent disability.
The contagiousness of measles is extreme, Griffin added. Exposure to an infected person can lead to infection even after a few hours, and the disease can spread through air conditioning systems, making it challenging to contain. Dr. Tim Jones, Chair of child and young person's health at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), echoed this sentiment, describing measles as 'spreading like wildfire' and more contagious than COVID-19.
The CDC advises that two measles vaccinations are 99% effective in preventing infection. However, Australian vaccination rates, especially among children, have declined in recent years. According to the Department of Health, around 93% of five-year-olds and 89.5% of two-year-olds are fully vaccinated. The department has warned that the nation's vaccination rate has dropped below the 95% target needed to achieve 'herd immunity' and prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.
Vaccine hesitation is a significant factor in the increased spread of measles, experts say. Griffin noted the challenge of convincing people to get vaccinated, while Jones attributed the hesitation to the years of COVID-19 restrictions and mandates. Jones suggested that sitting down with families to discuss the risks of measles can change their minds, emphasizing the long history and well-understood nature of the disease and its vaccines.
Australia faced a major measles outbreak in 1994, with 4,794 confirmed cases. The introduction of a two-dose vaccination schedule for children aged 10-16 years helped reduce the virus's circulation. The two-dose vaccine offers 99% protection against illness and serious complications, according to the CDC. Since 1994, most Australians have received their vaccination as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
In 2014, the WHO declared measles eliminated in Australia due to the absence of the endemic strain for several years. However, cases continue to occur, mostly in travelers. Jones highlighted the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent a resurgence of measles, noting a tripling of cases in Australia over the last year. He expressed concern about the situation and the need for action to prevent further spread.
