By Ed Carruthers,Editor
Copyright dailymail
Health experts have issued a warning that the AFL Grand Final could trigger an outbreak of measles that may spread nationally.
Reigning premiers Brisbane are set to take on Geelong this Saturday afternoon at the MCG, with around 30,000 Lions fans expected to travel down to Victoria to watch their team attempt to defend their title.
However, it has been reported in recent days that the contagious virus has been detected in Brisbane and other areas of Queensland and now there are fears that it could spread to Melbourne.
It is understood that the case recently returned to Australia following an overseas trip where it is believed the person contracted the illness, thus prompting a public health alert.
Health authorities in the Sunshine State have urged members of the public to get vaccinated as a result.
Master Director of Infectious Diseases Paul Griffin has expressed fears that this weekend’s AFL showpiece could cause measles to spread throughout the country.
Professor Griffin himself is a Brisbane Lions fan and is in Melbourne for this weekend’s big match and emphasised just how quickly the virus can spread.
‘Fleeting contact, or even being in the same room as someone two hours after they were there infectious with measles is enough to get infected,’ he said.
‘The most concerning outbreak is in Cairns, with a dozen confirmed cases this month, but we’ve also got multiple cases in central Queensland and on the Gold Coast.
‘Considering how highly contagious the measles virus is, we will likely have many more reported cases in the coming weeks and there is a risk that more could soon be occurring in Victoria.’
Symptoms can include a fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose and red inflamed eyes.
Those who contract the illness can also experience a blotchy red rash.
‘Several of the current cases are linked to returning overseas travellers, and with around 100,000 people expected at the MCG for the grand final, people should double check that they are vaccinated,’ professor Griffin added.
‘It’s largely transmitted through coughing, sneezing, even talking or breathing in the air of someone who was infected. Large gatherings, like the MCG crowd, are obviously a potential spreader event.
‘Measles is so infectious that the virus lingers for several hours in a room, and you can still be infected even after they’ve left.’
According to Dr Doug Haw, a Metro North Public Health Physician, symptoms typically start around 18 days after first infection.
In 2014, The World Health Organisation deemed that endemic measles had been eradicated from Australia, meaning that no local transmission of the virus was taking place within the Aussie population.
Notifications for measles have since continued to be reported with more than 120 cases being logged in 2025.
In recent days, authorities have issued a public health alert for Cairns, with six confirmed cases recorded in the last three weeks.
Vaccination rates against measles in Queensland have dropped to 90.35 per cent from a target of 95 per cent.
‘In the US, with their case numbers climbing, we’re starting to see deaths and severe neurological complications return,’ Professor Griffin said.
Speaking on low vaccination rates, the Professor added: ‘That’s really something that shouldn’t be happening and we want to make sure we don’t see happen in Australia as well.
