Measles cases rise in Australia, New Zealand and the United States

Health authorities in Australia, New Zealand and the United States reported fresh measles cases this week, prompting expanded testing, new exposure alerts and renewed warnings about the virus’s ease of spread. In Western Australia’s Pilbara region officials confirmed an initial cluster of four cases on Monday and two additional linked cases on Friday, leading to testing sites being opened at regional hospitals and a public health alert listing multiple exposure locations across Karratha and Port Hedland.

Western Australia’s Department of Health said the Pilbara cluster has prompted testing at Hedland Health Campus, Karratha Health Campus, Roebourne Hospital, Onslow Health Service and Newman Health Service. Health notices added nearly a dozen exposure sites, including emergency departments at both Hedland and Karratha, retail outlets and community venues. People who attended the listed locations should monitor for symptoms for seven to 18 days after possible exposure and seek testing immediately if symptomatic. WA Health also reported 45 measles cases in the state so far this year and urged residents to check their immunisation status.

“Measles is highly infectious, and anyone...