Re: UK: 2012 Measles cases- Merseyside cases rise; Rise in cases at a Welsh school
Re: UK: 2012 Measles cases- Merseyside cases rise; Rise in cases at a Welsh school
Measles update 29 February 2012
29 February 2012
There are now 36 laboratory confirmed measles cases in and around Liverpool and the numbers are continuing to grow. A further 35 probable cases are under investigation and numerous reports from GPs are in the process of being followed up. The majority of the cases are in Liverpool and neighbouring areas of South Sefton (Aintree and Waterloo), but there are six are in Knowsley, three in St. Helens and one in Widnes.
The majority of cases are children under the age of five who were not vaccinated at the optimum age of 13 months and babies and toddlers who are too young to be vaccinated. A small number of adults have also been affected.
The advice to parents is to contact their GPs and arrange for any unvaccinated children to be protected by MMR vaccine as soon as possible.
Dr. Roberto Vivancos, a consultant with Cheshire and Merseyside HPU, said: ?If parents aren?t sure if their children have previously been vaccinated, they should check with their family doctor. MMR protects against measles, mumps and rubella, three illnesses that can be very serious.
?Measles is highly infectious and unvaccinated children will always be at risk when it gets into a community. Furthermore, when unvaccinated older children pick up an infection they present a risk to siblings and other babies and children who are too young to be vaccinated.?
The HPA is also advising people with symptoms of measles to:
Stay away from school, nursery or work until at least four days have elapsed since the rash developed.
Telephone the family GP for advice before attending GP surgeries, NHS walk-in centres or hospital A & E units. If it is necessary for a child or adult with measles to attend an NHS facility, the GP can telephone the facility in advance to make arrangements for minimising the measles patient?s contact with other vulnerable patients.
Avoid contact with others, particularly pregnant women and infants as they are more vulnerable to infection and measles is highly infectious.
A measles unit in Liverpool composed of HPA and NHS staff is actively engaged in tracing contacts of measles cases. Where appropriate, contacts are given preventative treatment to limit the spread of infection.
Note to editors
Measles is an infectious viral illness that is spread when infected people cough or sneeze. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, sore eyes and a rash that develops 3-4 days after the onset of illness, starting with the face and head and spreading down the body.
The first dose of MMR is normally given to children when they reach the age of 13 months. A second dose is given between the ages of three and four years, before the child goes to school.
Information on measles is available on the following websites:
http://immunisation.dh.gov.uk/
http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/Measles/
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk (NHS Direct Website)
Advice is also available from NHS Direct on 0845-4647.
Press release issued by HPA North West. Tel 0844 2251295 and choose option 2 or 07764 906 508.
Last reviewed: 29 February 2012
http://www.hpa.org.uk/ProductsServi...es/nwest120229Liverpoolmeaslesoutbreakupdate/
