BRITAIN could be on the verge of a measles outbreak, after one major city reported a surge in cases of the highly-contagious bug.
Cardiff has been struck down by the viral infection, and other areas of the UK could be next.
The common symptoms of measles to know
Map reveals most dangerous regions for measles
Measles is a highly infectious disease, spreading quickly from person to person, especially in schools.
It can sometimes cause pneumonia, meningitis or even death in the most severe cases.
Seven children across the Welsh capital have been confirmed as having the highly infectious disease over the past six weeks, Public Health Wales announced yesterday.
Public Health Wales (PHW) has urged parents to protect their children by ensuring they are up to date with the MMR jabs.
The condition is often marked by its signature spotty rash. As well as flu-like symptoms, tiredness, white spots at the back of the throat and a fever, the NHS says.
Another early and common symptom of measles is inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis).
This type of ‘pink eye’ usually develops before the rash emerges.
But there is a handful of rarer, and more serious, eye complications that can develop from a measles infection, some of which are sight-threatening.
According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, measles can lead to keratitis, an inflammation or irritation of the cornea.
This can feel like there is something in the eye, like grit, which you can’t get out.
Although treatable, this condition is a common cause of blindness.
Some sufferers may experience photophobia, meaning they might struggle to look in a bright room or outdoors, as light can be painful.
The disease can also damage the back of the eye, known as the retina.
People with this might see shapes floating in their field of vision.
This condition, called retinopathy, can also cause blindness if left undiagnosed and untreated, the NHS says.
The bug can also lead to optic neuritis, a relatively rare complication that affects the optic nerve – which is responsible for transmitting information from the eye to the brain.
Common symptoms include seeing flashing lights and eye pain.
Measles cases have surged to a three-year high, while vaccination rates have plummeted.
MMR jab uptake is at a 12-year low, separate figures show, and bug cases are surging globally.
This year, only 85 per cent of five-year-olds are fully vaccinated with the MMR jab, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
At least 95 per cent of people need to be vaccinated for herd immunity, according to the World Health Organisation.
The Notification of Infectious Diseases report (NOIDS), which tracks suspected infectious disease cases in England and Wales, showed cases were rising across both England and Wales.
There were 451 suspected infections between July and October 22 – over double the 204 cases seen during the same period in 2022, the government data revealed.
Its most recent update showed 27 measles cases in the week ending October 22.
London is one of the hardest-hit areas in the UK – with seven positive tests so far.
What the are the symptoms of measles?
MEASLES usually begins with cold-like symptoms.
These include:
a high temperature
a runny or blocked nose
sneezing
a cough
red, sore, watery eyes
Small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips a few days later. These spots usually last a few days.
A blotchy red rash usually appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms. It starts on the face and behind the ears before moving to the rest of the body.
It usually clears in seven to 10 days but can lead to other serious complications.
Severe complications can occur, including miscarriage in pregnant women, brain swelling and the risk of death from pneumonia.
It’s very unlikely to be measles if you’ve had both doses of the MMR vaccine or you’ve had measles before.
But it you think you or your child could have measles ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111.
Source: NHS