Measles elimination in Australia: 'Hard won, easily lost'

Measles cases are increasing globally, with more than 429,000 confirmed cases and approximately 679,000 additional suspected cases reported to disease surveillance systems worldwide during 2019.1 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more measles cases were reported worldwide during the first half of 2019 than in any year since 2006.2 The WHO regions with the highest increases in reported cases included Africa (900% increase), the Western Pacific (230% increase) and Europe (150%).2 With the number of measles cases globally, Australia's popularity as a tourist destination and a large population of frequent travellers, there is a constant threat of imported cases of measles entering Australia.