A measles outbreak in Western Australia is sounding alarm bells: If you visited Fiona Stanley Hospital's emergency department on Monday night, you could be at risk! WA Health has issued an urgent warning after confirming that a person infected with measles visited the busy emergency room.
Specifically, anyone who was in the Fiona Stanley Hospital emergency department waiting room between 6:50 PM and 10:05 PM on Monday, January 19th, 2026, should be particularly vigilant. Health officials are advising you to monitor yourself for measles symptoms for up to 18 days following potential exposure. This is because measles can take some time to incubate before symptoms appear. The alert states that this recent case is linked to a returned traveler from Bali. This is just the latest development following a public health alert issued earlier in the week, concerning the state’s first measles case of the year, which already led to the identification of several exposure sites, including retail stores and a pharmacy. You can find an updated list of exposure sites at the end of this alert.
Measles is no joke. It's a highly infectious viral disease. The virus typically incubates for about 10 days before any symptoms manifest. Symptoms begin with fever, fatigue, a runny nose, sore and watery eyes, and a cough. A characteristic red, blotchy rash will then appear about three to four days later. This rash usually starts on the face before spreading to the rest of the body. It's important to note that even before the rash appears, an infected person is contagious. But here's where it gets controversial... Some people believe that measles is a harmless childhood illness, and that vaccination is unnecessary. However, measles can lead to serious complications, especially in young children and adults with weakened immune systems, including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and even death. What are your thoughts on this?
Last year, Western Australia experienced its worst measles outbreak in three decades, reporting a total of 63 cases. Clusters of infections were identified in the South West, the Pilbara region, and across the Perth metropolitan area.
To protect yourself and the community, health authorities are strongly urging everyone to check their vaccination status. Make sure you're up-to-date with a measles-containing vaccine (MMR). Two doses are generally recommended for full protection. If you're unsure of your vaccination history, contact your doctor or local immunization provider. And this is the part most people miss... Even if you think you were vaccinated as a child, it's worth confirming with your doctor. Vaccination records can sometimes be incomplete or lost. Plus, immunity from some vaccines can wane over time, so a booster might be recommended.
For detailed information about all the confirmed exposure sites, you can visit the WA Health alert online: https://www.health.wa.gov.au/News/2026/Measles-alert.
Here's the list of exposure sites to date:
- Monday, January 19, 2026, 6:50 PM to 10:05 PM: Fiona Stanley Hospital Emergency Department waiting room, 11 Robin Warren Dr, Murdoch
- Monday, January 19, 2026, 8:40 AM to 9:15 AM: South Street Pharmacy, 386 South St, O’Connor
- Friday, January 16, 2026, 7:05 PM to 7:40 PM: Woolworths Coolbellup, 1 Waverley Rd, Coolbellup
- Friday, January 16, 2026, 7:10 AM to 7:50 AM: Bunnings O’Connor, Cnr South St & Yarrick St, O’Connor
- Thursday, January 15, 2026, 7:50 AM to 8:30 AM and 4:15 PM to 4:45 PM: Toyota Melville, Cnr N Lake Rd & Leach Hwy, Melville
- Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 11:15 AM to 11:50 AM: Wembley Golf Club, 200 The Boulevard, Wembley Downs.
Protect yourself and your community – check your vaccination status today! Do you think the government should mandate measles vaccinations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
