Health chiefs have sounded the alarm over a ‘concerning’ rise in lethal measles hitting the south of England.
The south west of the country has seen 26 new cases in the past month, and now has the highest proportion of diagnoses in the UK, according to an alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The agency added that 21 of these cases were detected in Bristol, which has recorded 57 in total over the past year.
Gloucestershire has documented 23 new cases since January 2024, and Somerset 11.
‘This more rapid rise in cases within the region is concerning,’ Dr Alasdair Wood, UKHSA consultant said in the alert.
‘Measles is highly infectious, and it can cause serious disease or even death in some rare cases.’
The rapid rise in cases comes as take up of the vaccination that protects against the virus — called MMR — has fallen to less than 90 per cent.
This is below the rate that’s needed to prevent outbreaks within the community, the UKHSA warned.
Cold-like symptoms, such as a fever, cough and a runny or blocked nose, are usually the first signal of measles. A few days later, some people develop small white spots on the inside of their cheeks and the back of their lips. The tell-tale measles rash also develops, usually starting on the face and behind the ears, before spreading to the rest of the body
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Dr Wood explained that over the last year measles has been ‘circulating across the country’.
Nationwide, the latest figures suggest there has been almost 100 confirmed cases in the last month alone, bringing the total figure since January 2024 to almost 3,000.
Almost half of these cases have been in London, while 19 per cent were recorded in the West Midlands and 9 per cent in the East of England.
The figures also show that there have been 115 confirmed cases of the disease in the South West over the past year.
Measles, which produces flu-like symptoms as well as the tell-tale rash, can cause very serious and even fatal health complications if it spreads to the lungs or the brain.
One in five children who get infected will be hospitalised, according to estimates, with one in 15 developing life-threatening complications like meningitis or sepsis.
Dr Wood added that patients are infectious from four days before and four days after a rash appears.
‘If you suspect that you or a family member has measles, it is important that you seek medical advice and stay away from schools, large gatherings and workplaces while infectious,’ he said.
In England, 89.3 per cent of two-year-olds received their first dose of the MMR vaccine in the year to March 2023 (blue line), up from 89.2 per cent the previous year. Meanwhile, 88.7 per cent of two-year-olds had both doses, down from 89 per cent a year earlier
Measles, which produces flu-like symptoms as well as the tell-tale rash, can cause very serious and even fatal health complications if it spreads to the lungs or the brain
‘Those at the highest risk of severe infection include pregnant women, children under one year old and immunocompromised individuals.
‘We all have a responsibility to help protect these groups by getting vaccinated and reducing the spread of the infection.’
He urged parents to help protect these groups by getting their children vaccinated and reducing the spread of measles.
‘It’s never too late to have the vaccine, so if you’ve not received two doses of the vaccine in the past — or you’re unsure — speak to your GP. There’s no harm in receiving an additional dose where there is any uncertainty,’ he said.
‘The MMR vaccine is safe and by far the most effective way to protect yourself and those around you.
‘We are asking everyone to remain alert to the symptoms of measles, which can include cold-like symptoms, sore red eyes, a high temperature or a red-brown blotchy rash.’
Two doses of the MMR vaccine offer up to 99 per cent protection against measles, mumps and rubella.
At least 95 per cent of the population needs to be vaccinated to prevent outbreaks, under public health guidance.
Uptake of the MMR jab collapsed in the late 90s and early 2000s in the wake of a 1998 study by the now discredited medic Andrew Wakefield, which falsely linked the jabs to autism.
NHS chiefs told parents in September to ensure their children had caught up on any missed vaccinations before they head back to school, amid fears of a rise in measles cases.
The health service says people should check their vaccination history and catch-up on any missed doses from their GP or a pop-up clinic.
