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  1. Home
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  3. Pacific measles outbreak

Pacific measles outbreak

Last updated
Wednesday, 18/12/2019

 

There’s an active measles outbreak in a number of Pacific countries, including Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand, American Samoa, Kiribati.

  • The Government of Samoa declared a state of emergency, which is in effect until the end of December 2019. 
  • The Tonga Ministry of Health declared a measles outbreak on 22 October.
  • The Fiji Ministry of Health declared a measles outbreak on 7 November.
  • The New Zealand outbreak is largely concentrated around Auckland. 
  • The Government of American Samoa declared a measles outbreak on 6 December.
  • The Kiribati Ministry of Health confirmed the first case of measles in the country on 18 December.

Stricter entry requirements for some Pacific countries

Measures are being put in place to ensure the measles outbreak does not spread.

  • For travel to American Samoa, you must show proof that you've had a measles vaccination at least 2 weeks before you arrive. For more information, visit the American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs.
  • From 28 December, for travel to Solomon Islands you must show proof that you've had a measles vaccination at least 15 days before you arrive. If you don't provide evidence you may need to report for a medical examination. Bring your official vaccination record with you.
  • To enter Marshall Islands you will need to present either a measles vaccination certificate or a letter from your doctor. This applies for travellers born after 1957 or those who are older than 6 months. 

Contact the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting to confirm entry requirements.

What we recommend

If you’re considering travelling to any destination in the Pacific region, we strongly recommend you:

  • Check your vaccinations are up to date, and talk to your doctor about getting a blood test to check your immunity, especially if you’re over 50. If your vaccinations need updating, you should be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before you travel.
  • Talk to your doctor before travelling to Pacific destinations with children, or if you are pregnant or immunocompromised. 
  • Read our advice about vaccinations, infectious diseases and medical assistance overseas before you go.
  • Read the travel advice for your destination.

Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

For information about Australian visas, contact the Department of Home Affairs.

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For more information go to about us.

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Main navigation

  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Schengen
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Children
      • Dual nationals
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Adventure
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
      • Religious events
      • Sporting events
    • Health
      • Mental health
      • Disability
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Demonstrations
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • AfricaBrowse destinations in Africa.
    • AmericasBrowse all destinations in the Americas.
    • AsiaBrowse all destinations in Asia.
    • EuropeBrowse all destinations in Europe.
    • Middle EastBrowse all destinations in the Middle East.
    • PacificBrowse all destinations in the Pacific.
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Kidnapped
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Scammed
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Demonstration
      • Armed conflict
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • Arabic
      • Chinese Simplified
      • Chinese Traditional
      • Indonesian
      • Thai
      • Vietnamese
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Resources
      • Consular State of Play
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Fact sheet: Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement