DOZENS of children will die if the current outbreak of measles is not taken seriously enough, doctors warn.
Cases are surging in England currently, with 198 lab-confirmed cases and 104 “likely” infections in the West Midlands between October and January alone.
GettyDozens of children will die if the current outbreak of measles is not taken seriously enough, doctors warn[/caption]
Measles can cause a range of symptoms, including white spots in the mouth and a spotty rash
UK Health Security Agency officials say they are seeing more cases in the region on a daily basis.
There were 1,603 suspected cases in England and Wales last year, latest UKHSA data show, up from 735 the previous year.
Falling vaccination rates mean rates could continue to increase unless measures are taken, experts warn.
Dr David Elliman, of Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: “As between 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 5,000 people getting measles will die, we could see dozens of deaths from an easily preventable disease.
“On top of this would be many more hospital admissions, as we have sadly seen in the Midlands, and people left with long term problems.”
Measles is an infection that can cause serious problems, including pneumonia, meningitis, blindness and seizures.
It usually causes cold-like symptoms in the early days, including a high temperature, runny nose, sneezing, coughing and red, sore or watery eyes.
Small white spots can appear on the inside of cheeks and back of the lips a few days later, followed by a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
If you suspect you or your child have measles and haven’t had two doses of the vaccine, you should call your GP, according to the NHS.
Symptoms usually start getting better after a week but it can cause deadly complications in some people and is especially dangerous if you are pregnant.
The latest UKHSA data show four-fifths of the recent surge in cases in the West Midlands were found in Birmingham.
Some 8 per cent were identified in Coventry, with the rest spread around the region.
Dr Ronny Cheung, of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said the virus will “at best will cause children great discomfort and at worst deaths”.
It is never too late to get vaccinated
Dr Doug Brown
It is “almost entirely preventable” with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, he added.
Unvaccinated children who come into contact with the disease are being advised to stay at home for 21 days.
Uptake of the vaccine is at its lowest point in over a decade, with just 84.5 per cent of children in England having received both doses of the jab by the time they were five years old in 2022/23.
Some 92.5 per cent had received one dose.
Dr Doug Brown, of the British Society for Immunology, said: “The best possible protection available against this serious illness is vaccination and it is never too late to get vaccinated.
“We encourage parents to ensure their children are up to date with their MMR vaccines and catch up on any missed ones as soon as possible.”
What is the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine?
The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine.
It protects against three serious illnesses: measles, mumps and rubella, also known as German measles.
The jab is given to babies and young children as part of the NHS vaccination schedule.
A first dose is recommended when your child is one year old and second is given at three years and four months.
If you are unsure if your child has had a vaccine or they have missed either of these two doses, you can ask your GP surgery to check and catch up on the schedule.
It is important to check you’ve had both doses if you are about to start college or university, are going to travel abroad or are planning a pregnancy.
Front line health or social care workers should also check, as well as anyone born before 1990, as they may not have protection against rubella or mumps.
Source: The NHS