Update on measles outbreak declared on Merseyside

22 February 2012

A team from the HPA’s Cheshire and Merseyside Health Protection Unit (HPU), supported by NHS colleagues, is actively engaged in contact tracing and the risk assessment of cases and their contacts to limit the spread of infection.

Dr. Sam Ghebrehewet, Director of Cheshire and Merseyside HPU, said: “The sporadic nature of the cases would suggest that there has been more than one source of infection and measles may have been circulating in the community for some time.

“The best protection that parents can give to their children is to ensure they are fully vaccinated. Two doses of MMR vaccine will protect against measles, mumps and rubella, three illnesses that can have serious side effects. If parents aren’t sure if their children have previously been vaccinated, they should ask the family doctor for advice.”

MMR uptake has improved across Merseyside in the past year and 95% of 13-month-old children are currently vaccinated. However, Dr. Ghebrehewet says that is a recent achievement and the uptake rates were lower in recent years, meaning that there is a pool of unprotected older children in the community.

“These unvaccinated children remain at risk and when they pick up infections they also pose a risk to siblings and other babies and children who are too young to be vaccinated. In this outbreak, six of the laboratory confirmed cases are in babies and toddlers who were too young to be vaccinated,” Dr. Ghebrehewet said.

“We are therefore strongly encouraging parents of older children who are currently unprotected to make arrangements for vaccination through the family doctor. Teenagers and young adults should also think about it if they weren’t immunised as youngsters. It’s not too late.”

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 pregnant women as they are more vulnerable to infection and measles is highly infectious.

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 07764-906508.
 

Last reviewed: 22 February 2012