Re: UK: 2012 Measles cases- Merseyside cases-largest outbreak since MMR vaccine was introduced
Re: UK: 2012 Measles cases- Merseyside cases-largest outbreak since MMR vaccine was introduced
Measles cases top the 200 mark in Merseyside outbreak
2 May 2012
The largest measles outbreak on Merseyside since MMR vaccine was introduced in 1988 is continuing. As at midday yesterday (Tuesday 1 May) there were 210 laboratory confirmed cases. A further 92 probable cases are under investigation.
Measles can affect anyone and in this outbreak all age groups have been affected. Approximately 50% of the cases are children under the age of five, but another 30% were aged 15 years or over. At least 39 of the confirmed cases needed inpatient treatment in hospital. (See notes to editors)
The majority of the confirmed cases are in Liverpool (125) and neighbouring areas of Knowsley (29) and Sefton (22). There have also been eight cases in Western Cheshire, seven in Wirral, six in Halton and St. Helens, three in Central and Eastern Cheshire and one in Warrington.
Dr. Roberto Vivancos, a consultant with the HPA?s Cheshire and Merseyside Health Protection Unit, said: ?It?s obvious from these statistics that people who are not fully vaccinated are not just at risk themselves, but they pose an infection risk to others, such as defenceless babies and toddlers who are too young to be vaccinated.
?Measles is a very infectious illness that spreads rapidly amongst children and adults who are not protected by MMR vaccine. It is also a serious illness that can lead to serious complications. On rare occasions, people die from measles. It should not be treated lightly, but it is an avoidable illness and we strongly advise parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated.
?Our advice to unprotected teenagers and young adults is to arrange vaccination through your family doctor. It?s never too late to be vaccinated.?
The HPA advises children and adults with measles to:
Avoid contact with others, particularly pregnant women and infants as they are more vulnerable to infection.
Stay away from schools, nurseries and work places until at least four days have elapsed after the onset of the rash.
Telephone your GP for advice before attending the surgery, NHS walk-in centre or hospital A & E unit to enable arrangements to be made in advance for minimising your contact with others who may be vulnerable to complications of measles.
Ends
Note to editors:
Here?s a breakdown of the cases by age group giving the numbers who were ill enough to require inpatient treatment in hospital and the percentage from each age group who were hospitalised. You will see that children under one year old and teenagers and adults over the age of 15 years are more likely to have serious illness requiring hospital treatment.
Babies and toddlers under one year old. 46 confirmed cases and 11 (24%) were hospitalised.
One-5 years old. 49 confirmed cases and 10 hospitalised (20%)
5-9 years old. 29 confirmed cases and one hospitalised (4%)
10-14 years old. 25 cases and 2 hospitalised (8%)
15 years +. 61 confirmed cases and 15 hospitalised (25%)
Measles is a viral illness that is spread when by coughing and sneezing. 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, usually at 40 months, 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 07764-906508.
Last reviewed: 2 May 2012
http://www.hpa.org.uk/ProductsServi...thWestPressReleases/nwest120502Measlesupdate/
