Five new cases of measles have been reported to the Victorian Health Department following an outbreak in Brunswick earlier this month.

The new cases bring the total number to nine of cases of the highly infectious viral disease that can cause serious illness, particularly in young children and adults.

Two of the five new cases have been treated in hospital.

Measles symptoms Incubation period of 18 days

Incubation period of 18 days Initial symptoms similar to cold

Initial symptoms similar to cold Cough, fever, sore throat, red eyes

Cough, fever, sore throat, red eyes Rash appears 3-7 days after first symptoms

They include three women and two men, all in their 20s and 30s and three of those live in Brunswick, one is from Preston and one is from Brunswick West.

Victoria's acting chief health officer Dr Roscoe Taylor said it was possible cases would emerge from other areas of Melbourne.

"I'm expecting more to come over the following days. We have a few more probable cases where we're just awaiting final blood tests," he said.

"I'm aware of at least two more cases in the wind and of course there could be others.

"Measles has an incubation period of 18 days, so illness acquired from contact could still be coming through and cases could still remain infectious for many days."

People can develop pneumonia and other serious complications from the disease which often begins with symptoms of the cold, including fever, sore throat, red eyes and a cough.

The characteristic rash begins three to seven days after the first symptoms.

"We've got people in hospital at the moment who are sick with measles," Dr Taylor said.

People at risk Anyone unvaccinated

Anyone unvaccinated Adults aged between 35 and 49

Adults aged between 35 and 49 People who are immuno-compromised

People who are immuno-compromised Refugees, asylum seekers

"It can be quite a serious disease especially if it's occurring in older people who've not experienced it during childhood."

He said the general public should be aware of the situation to prevent the spread of the disease to other vulnerable patients.

"There's a definite need to be alert to the situation because recognising the early symptoms and taking care of that quickly in a managed way with the family doctor can lead to early identification," Dr Taylor said.

"When we get advised early we can step in and actually save other people from becoming sick if they've had contact with those cases."



Under tough new no jab, no pay laws which came into force in January, all children must be fully vaccinated to enrol in childcare or kindergarten.

Women in their 20s to 40s can get a free measles/mumps/rubella vaccine and people under 20 can be vaccinated under the current catch-up program.