A third case of measles has been diagnosed in southern Tasmania, with health authorities warning travellers to check their vaccination status before heading overseas this holiday season.
The Department of Health confirmed the latest case on December 22, bringing Tasmania’s total to three cases since mid-November.
The department said the individual was “linked to a recent measles case” and was “isolating and recovering at home”.
The state had not recorded a single case since February 2023.
Dr Laura Edwards, specialist medical advisor for public health services, said measles cases had increased across Australia during 2025 with outbreaks occurring globally.
She urged Tasmanians to ensure they were fully vaccinated before travelling.
“People born after 1965 are unlikely to have had measles and should check if they have had two measles vaccines,” she said.
“If they haven’t had two vaccines or they are not sure, they should speak to an immunisation provider about getting vaccinated.”
The outbreak began when an infected traveller arrived in Hobart from Brisbane on November 17 aboard a Virgin flight.
A teenager in the Huon Valley then tested positive on December 9.
Dr Edwards said symptoms to watch for included “fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough and sore eyes usually followed by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body”.
“It can take up to 18 days after exposure to develop symptoms of measles,” she said.
The department advised that anyone developing symptoms should “isolate and arrange to seek medical care as soon as possible”.
