IT’S a Victorian disease that, until recently, had all but faded to a distant threat in most of Europe.
But now it’s on the rise: measles cases have soared 3000 per cent across the continent in the last year.
The main symptoms are a fever and a rash but it can cause serious complications
The potentially fatal disease is often marked by its signature spotty rash, but there are many other signs that emerge earlier.
According to the World Health Organisation, over 30,000 infections were reported between January and October 2023, up significantly from 941 in all of 2022.
Officials are calling for “urgent” action to stop potentially killer outbreaks.
Most cases improve within a week, but measles can cause serious problems, including pneumonia, seizures, meningitis and blindness if it spreads to the lungs or brain.
The surge is being blamed on “backsliding” vaccination coverage in all 53 of the European member states since 2020. This includes the UK.
“Vaccination is the only way to protect children from this potentially dangerous disease,” Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, said.
“Urgent vaccination efforts are needed to halt transmission and prevent further spread.
“It is vital that all countries are prepared to rapidly detect and timely respond to measles outbreaks, which could endanger progress towards measles elimination.”
The latest NHS figures show the MMR vaccine uptake is the lowest since 2010-11, with only 84.5 per cent of children receiving both doses by age five.
This is well below the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended immunity rate of 95 per cent.
Over 102,000 children in England aged four and five started the school year without being jabbed, meaning they were at high risk.
Measles spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
If one person has it, up to nine out of 10 people around him or her will also catch it if not protected, making it one of the world’s most infectious diseases.
What does measles look like?
The first symptoms of measles are no different to a typical cold or flu, the NHS says.
This can include a high temperature, runny nose, sneezing, a cough and red, sore, watery eyes.
Small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips a few days later.
A few days after this, the signature measles rash will likely occur.
This usually begins on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.
The red spots start small and flat before gradually multiplying and merging. They’re not usually itchy.
It usually clears in seven to 10 days but can lead to other serious complications, including death.
How can I prevent measles?
All children are offered the first dose of the super-effective MMR vaccine at age one, and then the second at age three – but people can catch up on missed jabs at any age.
If you know you or your child isn’t up to date with their jabs, call your GP for an appointment.
“It’s never too late to get vaccinated,” Prof Helen Bedford, an expert in child public health at University College London, previously told The Sun.
“Make sure you check your child’s red vaccination book, but if you can’t find it, or they don’t have a record, call your GP to check.”
NHS advice is that if you or your child has measles, stay off nursery, school or work for at least four days from when the rash first appears.
You should also try to avoid close contact with babies and anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system.
It’s also important to wash your hands often with soap and warm water, use tissues when coughing or sneezing, and throw used tissues in the bin.
When to see a doctor
As per NHS advice, it is wise to make a GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you suspect you or your child has measles.
The same goes if you have been in contact with someone who has measles and you haven’t had two doses of the MMR vaccine, are pregnant, or have a weakened immune system.
How to treat measles
How do I treat measles?
Measles usually starts to get better in about a week.
After seeing a GP, there are things you can do to help ease the symptoms.
The NHS suggests resting and drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, to avoid dehydration.
Paracetamol or ibuprofen can relieve a high temperature, but do not give aspirin to children under 16.
Use cotton wool soaked in warm water to gently remove any crusts from your or your child’s eyes.