Parents urged to make sure kids have MMR amid measles outbreak – as cases almost reach 100
PARENTS are being urged to make sure their kids have had the MMR vaccine as more cases of the potentially deadly disease have been confirmed in the UK.
There are now 79 confirmed cases of the highly-contagious bug, which causes cold-like symptoms, a fever, aches and pains and a blotchy red rash confirmed.
Twenty cases have been confirmed in Liverpool and Cheshire, 29 in West Yorkshire, 16 in the West Midlands, 10 in Surrey and Sussex, four in Manchester, according to Public Health England.
The rapidly spreading cases have prompted warnings Britain could be on the verge of a measles outbreak.
Dr Will Welfare, consultant in health protection with Public Health England, told "Measles is a very infectious virus and can spread rapidly among communities, such as schools, if people have not been fully immunised.
"I would appeal to any parents who have not yet had their children vaccinated to get them protected as soon as possible through their GP."
Measles is highly contagious disease that can be prevented by having the vaccination, offered by the NHS as a single measles, mumps and rubella jab.
A tweet by NHS Choices said: “There is an outbreak of measles in both Leeds and Liverpool.
"This infectious viral illness is easily spread and can lead to complications.
"Ask your GP about the vaccine if you, or your children, haven’t had two doses."
Travellers bound for Christmas markets in Europe have also been warned they are at risk of catching the potentially deadly disease.
WHAT IS MEASLES? HOW TO SPOT THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can be very unpleasant and sometimes lead to serious complications.
It's now uncommon in the UK because of the effectiveness of vaccination.
Anyone can get measles if they haven't been vaccinated or they haven't had it before.
It usually clears in 7 to 10 days but can lead to other serious complications.
Symptoms:
Initial symptoms include:
- cold-like symptoms like runny nose, sneezing and a cough
- sore, red eyes
- fever
- small grey-white spots on the inside of the cheeks
- aches and pains
A few days later a red-brown, blotchy rash will appear, usually beginning on the head or upper neck before spreading.
You'll most likely feel most ill the first few days the rash appears.
Complications:
About one in every 5,000 people will die from measles.
Complications are more likely to develop in:
- babies younger than a year old
- children with a poor diet
- children with a weakened immune system
The most common complications include diarrhoea and vomiting, ear infections, eye infection, pneumonia and bronchitis.
But measles can also lead to other complications, although these are rare:
- hepatitis
- brain infections
- eye problems and vision loss
- heart and nervous system problems
- miscarriage or still birth
- premature birth
- low birth weight
Treatment:
There is no specific treatment.
Your GP will probably suggest resting at home and waiting for it to clear.
You can ease your symptoms with pain killers, but always speak to your GP first.
You can avoid measles by getting vaccinated.
One dose of vaccine can be given to a baby when they are 12-13 months old and a second before they start school.
Countries where vaccination levels are higher have less chance of the disease spreading.
Source: NHS Choices
Public Health England (PHE) has urged those heading for Italy, Germany and Romania, in particular, to take extra care.
Health chiefs warned those people who haven’t had both doses of the MMR vaccine, are at greatest risk of infection.
HEALTH CHECK What is measles? How contagious is it, is there a vaccine, what are the symptoms and how is it treated?
It came as PHE confirmed three outbreaks in England are linked to people travelling to the continent.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at PHE, said: "This serves as an important reminder for parents to take up the offer of MMR vaccination for their children at one year of age and as a pre-school booster at three years and four months of age.
"Children and young adults who missed out on their MMR vaccine in the past or are unsure if they had two doses should contact their GP practice to catch-up."
The MMR jab is a combined vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
In order to be fully protected, it is important to have both doses of the vaccination.
Anyone who might suspect they have the infection is advised to stay at home and call their GP or NHS 111.
The World Health Organisation has previously warned of a measles outbreak sweeping through Europe.
The large-scale outbreaks are happening in countries where immunisation rates have dropped, the agency said.
It's now uncommon in the UK because of high vaccination rates.
As a result it is unlikely a widespread outbreak will happen, but smaller, localised cases could happen in parts where large numbers of kids and babies have not had their vaccine.
Anyone can get measles if they haven't already had it, but it is more common in young children.
It starts with cold like symptoms before a rash develops a few days later.
MORE ON MEASLES
The rash looks like small, red-brown blotches and can make a person feel very unwell.
Severe complications can occur, including miscarriage in pregnant women, brain swelling and the risk of death from pneumonia.
The virus is spread through coughing and sneezing and through close contact with infected individuals.
Currently, the biggest outbreaks are in Romania and Italy.
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