Noble Park is one of a host of suburbs linked to a cluster of measles cases in Melbourne.
As of 22 May, six people had contracted the disease from an overseas visitor at two family events in Melbourne.
The five adults and a child had “community contact” while infectious but before displaying symptoms in Noble Park and several other suburbs.
Victoria’s acting Chief Health Officer Dr Angie Bone said anyone in these locations from early May should watch for measles symptoms.
It is the biggest linked cluster of measles in Victoria since nine people came down with measles in an outbreak linked to Melbourne Airport in March 2018.
This year, 22 diagnosed cases have been identified in Victoria.
The highly-infectious disease can cause serious illness. Very young children and adults with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk.
The early symptoms are like a common cold – runny nose, red eyes and a cough, followed by a fever and rash.
“The characteristic measles rash usually begins 3-7 days after the first symptoms, generally starting on the face and then spreading to the rest of the body,” Dr Bone said.
“Anyone developing symptoms is advised to ring ahead to their general practitioner or hospital first and tell them that they may have measles so that appropriate steps can be taken to avoid contact with other patients.”
Dr Bone said immunisation was the best protection.
A free Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine is available.
