WA Health on alert as state braces for what could be worst measles outbreak in five years
There are fears WA could be on the cusp of its worst measles outbreak in five years. (Supplied: WA Department of Health)
In short:
So far in 2025, WA has had three measles notifications — already half the number recorded last year.
Cases linked to Hakea Prison have caused delays to proceedings in Perth's District Court in recent days.
What's next:
Senior medical advisor from the WA Department of Health Dr Paul Effler urged people to get vaccinated against the disease.
Western Australia could be on track for its worst outbreak of measles in the past five years, as infections in Hakea Prison cause chaos in the courts and the list of exposure sites grows.
The state has recorded three cases of the highly contagious disease this year just three months in, and that figure is already half the total count in 2023 and 2024.
It adds to a growing tally of measles cases around the country, with more than 30 confirmed so far, mostly in New South Wales and Victoria.
It would be WA's worst year since 2020, when there were four notifications of the disease, if the spread continues at its current rate.
A case of the potentially deadly illness was recorded on Thursday at Bunbury Regional Hospital.
Prison outbreak causes court delays
Senior medical advisor from the WA Department of Health Paul Effler said the infection was linked to an outbreak at Hakea Prison in Perth's south-east suburbs, where people awaiting court appearances are held in custody.
"It was actually a prisoner that was being treated at the hospital that was the likely exposure for the case associated with Bunbury hospital," he said.
"There's a couple cases related to the Hakea exposure right now and others are under investigation."
There have been cases of the measles detected at Hakea Prison in recent days. (Supplied: Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services)
WA Health confirmed one case at the male prison on Tuesday and assured staff had "well-practised" systems and protocols to manage these types of outbreaks.
The Health Department said it was helping the Department of Justice to offer vaccines to prisoners and staff who weren't already protected.
It was heard in a WA District Court trial on Thursday that two of the accused are suspected to have measles and the trial, which had already started, was unable to continue this week.
A decision will be made on Monday whether that trial can go ahead depending on the health of the accused.
Court proceedings in WA have been delayed because of a measles outbreak at Hakea Prison. (ABC News: Glyn Jones)
Another Hakea inmate was unable to attend a hearing in a separate case, with the court hearing he was in isolation.
Who is vulnerable to measles?
Most older Australians contracted measles as a child and are now immune for life, but those born after 1994 need two doses of the vaccine to be highly protected.
It's those aged between 30 and 60 who have only received one vaccine that are susceptible, health experts say.
Dr Effler said all the cases in WA this year have been within that age bracket.
The Australian Medical Association said its concern about measles has increased amid a growing outbreak in the United States.
"Measles is a really deadly illness," AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said.
"Immunisation is the way to prevent the deaths and long-term disability from measles and it's really important that we maintain out fantastic immunisation rates in Australia."
According to government statistics, the US had recorded 378 confirmed cases and two deaths this year, as of March 20.
Dr Effler said the disease also circulates Asia.
"When we get cases introduced from overseas, they usually don't spread very widely, because the vaccine coverage is so good," he said.
Dr Paul Effler says the measles vaccine is highly effective. (ABC News: Abby Richards )
"Measles is so infectious, it's the most infectious disease known to humans.
"But there's a very effective vaccine available."
Is vaccine hesitancy to blame?
Epidemiologist Raina MacIntyre said vaccine hesitancy is likely contributing to the rise in cases across the country.
"The issue is we've had a falling rate of vaccination," she said.
"Our childhood vaccination rates have dropped from about 94 per cent to 91 per cent.
"That's part of a worldwide trend we've seen after the COVID pandemic of increasing vaccine hesitancy.
"It is a real problem because it makes us vulnerable to these outbreaks."
Doctors are worried about declining rates of flu vaccination. (Reuters: Valentin Flauraud)
Doctors in Australia are worried vaccine fatigue and misinformation may be contributing to a drop in flu vaccinations this year.
Federal government data revealed a 15 per cent drop in flu vaccines in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Dr McMullen said it's concerning after the northern hemisphere experience a "horror" season this winter.
"It's a huge drop. We've seen that right around the country and across all age groups," she said.
"We had seen an increase in vaccination rates during COVID when everyone was worried about respiratory illness, but we can't afford to see that drop.
"The protection only does last a season, and it also gets updated every year to match the strains that are circulating around."