The infected woman travelled all over Victoria and then flew to Brisbane.

This article has been originally published on the Herald Sun and had been republished here with permission.

A widespread measles alert has been raised after an infected woman travelled extensively across Victoria and to Brisbane.

Health authorities in Victorian and Queensland have issued warnings for anyone with symptoms consistent with measles to see a doctor.

It comes after the young woman recently spent time in Shepparton and Melbourne, as well as commuting by train across the state and attending Southern Cross Station on June 25.

A Queensland Health alert also raised concerns after the woman flew to Brisbane on a Jetstar flight on June 25, before returning with the same airline on June 28.

Highly infectious for up to 18 days

Measles can cause serious illness and is highly infectious for up to 18 days.

Victoria’s acting chief health officer Dr Finn Romanes said people in Shepparton and Melbourne who may have been exposed to the infection and develop the characteristic measles rash should seek help.

“We are concerned that people may have been infected after contact with the person in that period,” Dr Romanes said.

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

Were you in any of these towns in the past 10 days?

During the period in which the woman was most infectious she spent time in Shepparton from June 21 to 25, was on a train and at Southern Cross Station on June 25, and attended Melbourne Airport on June 25 and 28.

Measles is uncommon in Australia due to widespread vaccine coverage, and most new cases are connected to international travel.

While the woman sparking the latest warning has not recently been overseas, it is thought she has been infected by somebody who has travelled internationally while spending time in Geelong, central Melbourne and the bayside suburbs.

Measles begins with a cold-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, red eyes and a cough, before a rash begins three to seven days later.

Those with measles often need to be hospitalised as they can develop pneumonia and other serious complications.

There have been 32 cases of measles in Victoria so far this year, compared with 27 cases for the same period last year.