Measles
Health alert
Status: Active
Last updated: 17 August 2026
Issued by: Chief Health Officer
Issued to: NT healthcare providers
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, which can cause serious disease. Measles cases have been uncommon in Australia because of generally high levels of vaccination however those who remain unvaccinated are at risk as global cases of the disease increase.
Current cases of measles in Australia come from people who have returned from overseas and have brought the infection with them. These infected travellers can then pass the disease to people in Australia who have not been vaccinated.
Current situation
Measles cases continue to rise globally and in Australia. There is an ongoing risk of importation of measles cases into the NT with subsequent further local transmission within the NT. NT Health is advising clinicians to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles and to promote measles vaccination.
Alerts to health professionals
- Health alert: Measles PDF (574.1 KB) (17 August 2026)
- Health alert: Measles PDF (509.4 KB) (28 July 2025)
- Health alert: Measles PDF (576.3 KB) (30 April 2025)
Notifiable disease
Measles is a notifiable disease.
Vaccine
Read about immunisations on the Northern Territory Government website.
Information for health professionals
| Type | Resource | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Document | Measles - information for general practitioners PDF (451.5 KB) | NT Health |
| Document | Measles fact sheet PDF (439.4 KB) | NT Health |
| Document | Measles - information for contacts PDF (448.8 KB) | NT Health |
| Document | Measles – CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Units | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care |
| Tropical Health Orientation Manual (THOM) 2025 for health practitioners in Northern Australia | Measles | Menzies |
Information for the public
| Type | Resource | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Webpage | Measles | NT Government |
| Webpage | Measles vaccination | NT Government |
| Webpage | Measles | Health direct |
Exclusion periods for schools and daycares
There is a minimum period of exclusion from school, pre-school or childcare for children or educators with this infectious disease.
Get a copy of the time out minimum periods of exclusion.
Contact
Contact the Northern Territory’s Centre for Disease Control.
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