YOUNGER doctors are seeing measles patients for the first time as the virus returns.
The illness was officially eliminated in 2016 and 2017 — but cases are surging again in England.
GettyYounger doctors are seeing measles patients for the first time as the virus returns[/caption]
It has prompted an appeal to make sure children get the MMR vaccine, with millions unprotected.
There were 1,603 suspected cases in 2023, compared with 735 cases in 2022 and 360 in 2021.
And there are thought to have been 319, mostly in children since October in the West Midlands alone.
Dr Chris Bird, from Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: “Many junior trainees have never seen measles so seeing, as we are, five, six or seven cases a day in hospital is pretty extraordinary.
“It’s a challenge to ensure that it doesn’t spread because it’s about ten times more infectious than Covid.”
Health minister Maria Caulfield told MPs yesterday of a gradual ten-year decline in vaccine coverage.
Jabs are free at GP surgeries
Ms Caulfield said: “My message to mums and dads of children who are not vaccinated is to come forward.”
Symptoms of measles, which can be fatal in rare cases, include a fever, cough and blotchy rash.