Measles ‘catastrophe’ looms post-pandemic, conference hears
Disruption to routine childhood vaccination programs across the world leaves many countries vulnerable and raises Australia’s risk of imported cases
Leading infectious diseases specialists are warning of a looming resurgence of measles that could spell ‘catastrophe’ in some regions as pandemic restrictions ease and overseas travel ramps up.
Until this month, Australia had not recorded a single case of measles in two years.
WA infectious diseases physician Professor Christopher Blyth told the Communicable Diseases and Immunisation Conference in Sydney last week that, while the period of zero measles in Australia was “incredible”, it was now time to be on guard.
“I do think we have cause for concern, particularly as travel starts to open up, with measles coming back into this country,” he said.
