Residents urged to be on alert for measles in Melbourne's south-east after locally acquired case

Residents are being urged to be on alert for measles in Melbourne's south-east after a Victorian caught the disease from a returned traveller in the state.

The traveller attended 18 locations in the area while infections between March 14 and March 19, as measles outbreaks occur across the globe.

The disease is highly infectious and can spread from person to person.

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"People can be administered MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure to measles to prevent infection," Victoria's chief health officer, Professor Ben Cowie, said.

"Failing that, we recommend that people monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if any symptoms develop."

The disease usually begins with common cold symptoms before developing into a fever and rash three to four days later.

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"Unlike other recent outbreaks, this case of measles was acquired here in Victoria," Cowie said.

"This is why it is so important for you, and your children, to be vaccinated against measles."

Measles is rare in Australia, thanks to widespread vaccination rates.

Anyone planning to travel overseas is urged to get the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine if they haven't previously had two doses of the vaccine in their lifetime.

A full list of exposure sites can be found here.