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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Politics
Natasha May

Measles was eliminated from Australia. Experts warn US and Asia outbreaks may bring back this ‘heat-seeking missile’

United States Measles Australia Asia Tim Jones Missile Sanjaya Senanayake Disease Victoria New South Wales
A measles alert sign hangs outside the entrance to the Cohen Children's Medical Centre
Measles outbreaks in the US and south-east Asia pose a risk to Australia, where vaccination for the disease is below the WHO’s recommended immunisation coverage of at least 95% of the population. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Experts are concerned Australia could become “fertile ground” for measles to take hold if the disease is brought into the country amid outbreaks in the US and south-east Asia.

In the US more than 300 cases have been reported. Two people, including a child, have died in west Texas, the epicentre of the outbreak, which the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects to “expand rapidly”.

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