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Victorian health authority issues warning on Big W measles case

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Shoppers in Melbourne's western suburbs have been warned about measles after a Big W employee contracted the infectious disease during a holiday in Bali.

The casual employee had worked four days in a row at the Big W store in Werribee Plaza, from March 3 to 6, before being diagnosed, Victoria's acting Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton said.

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Health authority issues warning over measles outbreak

Shoppers in Melbourne's western suburbs are warned about a measles outbreak after a Big W employee contracted the infectious disease during a holiday in Bali. Vision courtesy Seven News Melbourne.

"We are concerned that more people may have been infected through contact with this individual in the community," Dr Sutton said.

Measles has an incubation period of up to 18 days, he said, so it is possible there are more cases of infected people yet to seek treatment or develop symptoms.

Dr Sutton said most cases of measles in Victoria were linked to people who had not been vaccinated and had been exposed to the virus during an overseas trip.

The Big W employee who had recently travelled to Bali did not need to be admitted to hospital, he said, though measles can lead to serious illness such as pneumonia, particularly in children.

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Dr Sutton said measles usually appeared to be a common cold at first, with symptoms such as fever, a runny nose, red eyes and a cough. A rash would appear about three to seven days later.

A Big W spokeswoman said the company was working closely with the Health Department to ensure any customers and employees who might have come into contact with the infected person were aware of the symptoms of measles.

Anyone who may have been exposed to a measles case has been urged to contact their GP or hospital emergency department.

"The doctor or hospital will then be able to provide treatment in a way that minimises transmission," Dr Sutton said.

 With AAP