A measles warning has been issued at Box Hill Hospital after a man was diagnosed with the highly contagious disease.

Health authorities issued an alert on Monday afternoon for visitors to the hospital, in Melbourne’s east, after a man aged in his 20s developed symptoms last week.

The man was at the hospital on the following dates:

■ Thursday January 10 at the hospital and at the onsite cafe Zouki Cafeteria

■ Friday January 11 at the hospital and at the onsite cafe Zouki Cafeteria

■ Saturday January 12 at the hospital and at the onsite cafe Zouki Cafeteria

■ Sunday January 12 at the hospital

Anyone at those locations during that period should look out for symptoms, said Victoria’s Acting Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton.

Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause serious illness, particularly in very young children and adults.

Sufferers can develop pneumonia and other serious complications from the disease, and often need to be admitted to hospital.

The illness usually begins with common cold symptoms such as a runny nose, red eyes and a cough, followed by fever and a rash. Dr Sutton said: “Anyone developing symptoms is advised to ring ahead to their general practitioner or hospital first and tell them that they may have measles, so that appropriate steps can be taken to avoid contact with other patients.”

The Department of Health and Human Services said the man was now recovering in isolation at home.

While prevalent in some other countries, the disease is uncommon in Australia because of the widespread use of the measles vaccine. Most cases in Victoria are linked to international travel.

For more information about measles visit the department’s website.