The government has today announced that measles outbreaks are persisting across the UK, predominantly affecting children under the age of 10.
Newly released data reveals that since January, there have been 420 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles. In April, 109 cases were reported, followed by 86 in May.
Of these, 66% were in children under ten, but young people and adults have also been affected.
London has experienced the highest number of cases this year and in the past four weeks. However, other regions, including the North West and the West Midlands, are also reporting outbreaks.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has stated that there has been a global increase in measles cases over the past year, including in Europe. The agency expressed concern that travel for holidays or family visits this summer could potentially lead to another surge of measles cases in England, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
According to the NHS, measles typically begins with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Initial symptoms include a high temperature, runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a cough, and red or sore eyes.
A lesser-known symptom of measles, which affects some individuals, is the appearance of small spots in the mouth. These spots usually appear two-to-three days after the onset of symptoms.
A measles rash typically appears three-to-five days after the first symptoms and generally starts on the face at the hairline. It then spreads downward to the neck, torso, legs, and feet.
WHO and UNICEF analysis exposed a worrying trend, as 127,350 reported measles cases in the Europe region were confirmed last year, a figure that’s risen twofold from 2023 and marks the worst rate since 1997.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is raising the alarm about the perilously low numbers of children protected against diseases, citing a stark drop in the uptake of crucial childhood jabs such as MMR.
Parents are urged to seek immediate medical advice if they suspect measles in their youngsters or if there’s been any potential exposure. This advice holds particularly true for infants under one year old who’ve been around someone with measles, or for pregnant women who’ve had close contact with an infected person.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, strongly recommends checking family members’ vaccination statuses: “It’s essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with 2 MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family. Measles cases are picking up again in England and outbreaks are happening in Europe and many countries with close links to the UK.”
Dr Saliba underscores the seriousness of measles and its potential to spread quickly, often leading to severe health issues: “Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences.”
Dr Doyle urged that the MMR vaccine is “the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles”, adding that it is “never too late to catch up”.
She said: “Too many babies and young children are still not protected against the diseases, which are contagious infections that spread very easily and can cause serious health problems. MMR jabs are provided free as part of the NHS routine immunisation programme.”
