Health authorities are investigating a measles case in a young child in Western Australia with no known connection to an earlier infection or overseas travel, raising concern about possible undetected transmission in the community.
WA Health said the child had been admitted to hospital with measles but was not linked to a case involving a returned overseas traveller reported on Wednesday.
The only newly identified exposure site is the emergency department at Armadale Hospital. Anyone who attended between 10.40am and 1.05pm on Wednesday has been advised to monitor for symptoms for up to 18 days after exposure.
Measles symptoms and health advice
Early symptoms can include fever, fatigue, coughing, a runny nose and sore eyes. A red, non-itchy rash usually begins on the face before spreading across the body and can last for up to a week.
Paul Armstrong, director of Communicable Disease Control, said measles was highly infectious and could cause serious illness, particularly among vulnerable people.
“Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and people can be infectious before they develop symptoms,” Dr Armstrong said.
“Babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe illness.”
Dr Armstrong urged parents and carers to remain alert for symptoms in babies and young children. Measles-containing vaccines can provide protection, and people are being reminded to check that they have received two doses.
People born before 1966 who are vaccinated are considered immune to measles. There have been six cases in WA so far this year, following a 2025 season in which more than 60 infections were recorded.
Other listed exposure locations include Joondalup Health Campus emergency department between 12.30pm and 1.30pm on Monday October 26, Taylor Road IGA in Nedlands between 9pm and 9.45pm on Tuesday October 20, and Mirrabooka Square between 5.50pm and 6.40pm that day.
