If you’re planning an Easter holiday to Bali, Vietnam or Thailand, it’s a good time to check if you and your family are vaccinated against measles.
These are among destinations in Southeast Asia with ongoing measles outbreaks, and Australian health authorities are concerned.
Several Australian jurisdictions have reported ongoing measles cases linked to overseas travel, particularly in Southeast Asia.
With travel increasing during holiday periods, so does the risk of bringing this highly infectious disease into Australia and triggering an outbreak.
But some infections have occurred in Australians who haven’t travelled, and who have no known contact with anyone with measles.
This suggests local transmission is a risk, particularly as fewer young children are receiving both recommended doses of the measles vaccine.
What’s happening in Southeast Asia?
Indonesia, including Bali, remains one of the most common destinations for Australian travellers and continues to have periodic measles outbreaks.
As of February 2026, Indonesia is listed third (behind India and Angola) in the US Centre for Disease Control’s top ten countries for measles outbreaks.
Vietnam has also reported increased measles activity in recent years, particularly affecting young children.
Measles is endemic in Thailand (meaning the virus is always present in the community). World Health Organization data shows a surge in transmission since 2023.
Measles transmission also continues in other popular destinations including the United Kingdom and the United States.
Travel-related cases are driving infections
Australia was declared measles-free in 2014. But as measles remains common in many parts of the world, international travel means it can quickly return to Australia.
In fact, most measles cases in New South Wales in the past year or so were linked to overseas travel. Between January 1 2025 and March 7 2026, 34 of 60 infections were acquired overseas, particularly in Southeast Asia (32 of those cases).
Of the 26 locally acquired infections, 18 were directly linked to a known imported case. Eight had no clear source at the time of reporting, suggesting community transmission.
Measles has been reported across several other states and territories in 2026. These include in Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Australian Capital Territory.
Why are we so worried about measles?
Measles is far more than a routine childhood illness. It is one of the most infectious known diseases.
The measles virus travels in tiny airborne particles. These particles can remain suspended in indoor air for up to two hours.
This makes transmission more likely in crowded places such as airports, shopping centres, restaurants and hospitals.
An infected person can spread measles to others even before they know they have it. They can spread it from four days before the rash appears through to four days afterwards. So by the time the diagnosis is suspected, many others may already have been exposed.
Measles can start with flu-like symptoms before a rash appears.