A fifth measles case has been confirmed in Victoria.

After confirming the fifth case of measles this week, Victorian health authorities are now concerned an outbreak could be imminent.

All five affected people were in regional Victoria or in contact with people who had been in regional Victoria before becoming infected.

None had recently travelled overseas.

The news of the measles outbreak in Victoria comes following a major breakout in February. Post continues… 

The highly contagious airborne virus can be spread through coughing, sneezing and the sharing of food and drinks.

Symptoms generally include a fever, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, lethargy, diarrhoea, sore eyes and later, a red rash that spreads across the body.

Once infected, people are contagious from four days prior to the rash appearing, and for a further four days after the rash has appeared.

Non-vaccinated children are at the greatest risk of contracting measles. Source: iStock.

The first known case of the potential outbreak was a woman who had travelled to regional Victoria and Melbourne.

It is understood she was in Shepparton from 21 to 25 June and travelled by regional train to Southern Cross Station on June 25. From there, she then travelled to Melbourne Airport and flew to Brisbane via a Jetstar service, returning to Melbourne on 28 June.

While in Brisbane, the woman is said to have caught the Beenleigh train from the airport to the city, and visited the Beaudesert Fair Shopping Centre throughout the stay.

The Victorian health department is recommending that anyone born after 1965 and unsure of their immunisation status get a booster shot.