Health officials in Western Australia are warning residents in the South West and Great Southern regions to be vigilant as measles cases reach a 30-year high. The number of confirmed cases has climbed to 54 this year, marking the state's worst outbreak since 1997. The Department of Health reported 11 cases in the South West and one in the Great Southern, with 18 exposure sites identified since October 22. Twelve additional exposure sites were announced on November 4, including emergency departments at Margaret River Hospital and Albany Health Campus. Other locations include a pub in Denmark, shopping centers in Bunbury and Australind, post offices in Cowaramup and Donnybrook, and a public restroom in Kojonup. The recent surge is linked to travelers returning from Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia. Health experts noted that all current cases are connected to overseas travel. The outbreak in the southern regions follows a related cluster in the Pilbara area, which had 47 cases reported in early October. Symptoms of measles typically develop about 10 days after exposure and include fever, fatigue, cough, and sore eyes, followed by a red, blotchy rash. The health department has conducted extensive contact tracing since the initial cases were identified. While there is no ongoing risk at the listed exposure sites, individuals who visited these locations during the relevant times are advised to monitor for symptoms. Curtin University professor of international health, Jaya Dantas, expressed concern over the rising case numbers. "In 2021 and 2022, we had no cases; in 2023 and 2024, we had about six cases. It's increased significantly between the years of 2021 and 2025," she said. Dantas emphasized the importance of vaccination, urging those born after 1965 to ensure they have received two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine. She noted that misinformation about vaccines and vaccine fatigue have contributed to the current outbreak. Health authorities are advising anyone planning to travel overseas to check their vaccination status, particularly for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, at least two weeks before departure. As the situation develops, health officials continue to monitor and may add more exposure locations to the public health alert. Residents are encouraged to remain cautious and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and others from the virus.