Measles Update
for Victorian Clinicians
Best Practice for Specimen Collection – Preventing Recollects and Result Delays
Due to the current measles outbreak in Victoria, it is essential to follow best-practice protocols or specimen collection to avoid unnecessary recollections and delays in results.
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Specimen Collection Requirements
IMPORTANT:
- Clearly label all samples as “URGENT” to ensure prioritised processing and minimise turnaround time.
Measles PCR Testing
- Collect either a nasopharyngeal aspirate or throat swab +/- first-catch urine.
- Note: Skin swabs are not appropriate and will result in recollection requests.
Measles Serology
- Collect a blood sample for IgM and IgG testing.
- Please note: Due to current community transmission, the Department of Health (DHS) has approved all measles PCR test requests until 31 May 2025. After this date, DHS approval may be required before laboratory submission. Otherwise, out-of-pocket costs may apply.
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Immediate Notification & Isolation Protocols
If a patient presents with fever and rash or other measles-like symptoms:
- Isolate the patient immediately in a separate room and provide a single-use fitted mask.
- Test for measles (as per collection instructions above).
- Notify the Department of Health immediately on 1300 651 160.
- Patients are infectious from 24 hours before symptom onset until 4 days after the rash appears. If sending patients home, instruct them to isolate until results are confirmed.
- Leave the consultation room vacant for 30 minutes after the patient has left.
For the latest updates, visit the Department of Health website.
About the Author
Dr Linda Dreyer
MBChB MMED(Path)(South Africa) FRCPADr Linda Dreyer
MBChB MMED(Path)(South Africa) FRCPA- antimicrobials
- infection control and molecular diagnostic assays…
Dr Linda Dreyer completed her undergraduate studies in 1996, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) from the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Following four years of clinical practice, as Medical Officer in the Department of Family Medicine she commenced specialisation in 2000. She was appointed as Registrar in Clinical Virology at the University of Pretoria/ Gauteng Province where she worked for two years and in 2003 she was appointed as Senior Registrar in Microbiology.
Dr Dreyer received her Master’s degree in Clinical Microbiology (MMed (Path)) from the University of Pretoria in 2006. She worked as a consultant for the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) in Pretoria until January 2008. During her time at NHLS she was involved in teaching medical students and microbiology registrars and gave lectures to nursing staff, medical students and specialists. She also sat on the Infection Control Committee and the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee of the Pretoria Academic Hospital.
She came to Melbourne and joined Australian Clinical Labs (formerly Healthscope Pathology) in 2008 as a Senior Registrar and obtained Fellowship of The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (FRCPA) in 2010.
Dr Dreyer has special interests in the appropriate use of antimicrobials, infection control and molecular diagnostic assays in contemporary clinical microbiology.
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