Health officials in Western Australia are sounding the alarm. Far below that 95% benchmark, this year alone, they’ve seen 47 measles cases within the state, and the total continues to rise. This figure comes close to matching the state’s most prolific outbreak since 2019. The highly contagious disease is staging a dramatic comeback. Immunization rates have plummeted, and pandemic-related disruptions to routine health care have made it more difficult to get vaccinated.
In 2014, Australia rejoiced at the announcement that measles had been eliminated from their country. With the sudden uptick in cases, concerns are being raised about the possibility of community transmission. Officials are especially concerned about the Pilbara region, where an eighth infection was confirmed on Monday this week.
Community Transmission Concerns
Combined with the rapid spread of measles, this makes it incredibly hard to trace ongoing outbreaks. This challenge is exacerbated when cases emerge that are not explicitly connected to one another. Dr. Slota-Kan, a health expert, emphasized the importance of vigilance, stating, “These cases have not all been linked together very closely, like we usually like them to be, and we’re concerned that there’s now community spread.”
Authorities have identified 22 exposure sites throughout South Hedland, Redbank and Pegs Creek from September 20 to October 1. A person infected with measles attended the Hedland Health Campus general ward on October 4. They went then to the emergency department on October 6. Importantly, this individual was not a healthcare worker, increasing the risk of unintentionally transmitting the virus.
Dr. Slota-Kan urged residents to pay attention to their bodies for symptoms as kids in local schools get ready to come back after winter break next week. He advised, “That would be good preparation to check your vaccination status and make sure that you’re vigilant for any cases, to protect the schools as kids come back.”
Vaccination Gaps and Risks
Dr. Milena Dalton, an immunologist at the Burnet Institute, highlighted the critical need for vaccination, stating, “It really can only take one traveller to start an outbreak like we’ve seen in WA.” She encouraged anyone born in 1966 or later to review their vaccinations. Most importantly, be sure you are up-to-date with two documented doses of the measles vaccine!
In the 1990s vaccination guidelines shifted greatly. Consequently, between a quarter and half of adults only got one dose of the vaccine, putting them at risk. Dr. Dalton warned that Australia has fallen below the safe threshold for herd immunity, dropping below the 95 percent level necessary to prevent outbreaks. This gap is especially worrisome for vulnerable populations, such as infants, pregnant women, and the immunocompromised.
“Australia has now fallen below the safe threshold, so we’ve dropped below the 95 percent herd immunity level needed to stop outbreaks.” – Milena Dalton
Response and Resources
In reaction to the outbreak, Fortescue is providing free boosters of the measles vaccine in Christmas Creek. Authorities still urge the need for vaccination and awareness among the residents of the Pilbara region. As schools prepare to re-open shortly, health officials will continue to watch for more.
As measles spreads globally due to declining immunization rates and pandemic disruptions, Western Australia faces a critical moment in preventing further outbreaks. Local health officials encourage people to know their vaccination status and to watch for symptoms, so that they may act quickly.
