The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning about an illness that is “nearly twice as contagious” as the common cold.
In a new post on X, formerly known as Twitter, health chiefs are urging parents and carers to make sure their children have received all their routine childhood jabs, including polio and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations.
This comes as MMR vaccination rates have seen a decline in recent years. Since the start of the year, there have been 811 laboratory confirmed cases of measles in England, according to the most recent data.
Most of these cases were in children aged 10 years and under, though some 25% were in young people and adults aged 15 years and over. Information from Gov.uk adds: “Data reporting lags have the greatest impact on the most recent 4 weeks and therefore the reported figures are likely to underestimate activity.”
The full alert from UKHSA reads: “Think a common cold spreads fast? Measles is nearly twice as contagious, and far more serious. But, it is easily preventable by keeping up to date with your routine MMR vaccinations.”
Health officials warn that measles can lead to complications such as “ear infections, pneumonia, and inflammation of the brain which require hospitalisation and on rare occasions can lead to long term disability or death”.
Anyone who is unsure if their child is up to date with all their routine vaccinations should check their child’s red book (personal child health record) in the first instance.
If you’re uncertain or need to update your child’s vaccinations, contact your GP surgery to check, and book an appointment.
Measles typically begins with symptoms similar to a common cold, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also develop small spots in their mouths.
The rash starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body. The measles rash spots can sometimes be raised and merge to form blotchy patches, but they’re not usually itchy.
You should urgently request a GP appointment or ring NHS 111 if:
- you suspect you or your child might have measles
- your child is under 1 year old and has been exposed to someone with measles
- you or your child haven’t had measles or two doses of the MMR vaccine and you (or your child) have been in close contact with someone with measles
- you’ve been in close contact with someone who has measles and you’re pregnant or have a weakened immune system
- you or your child feel extremely unwell, or you’re concerned something is seriously wrong
- you or your child have a high temperature that hasn’t reduced after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen
- you or your child are having trouble breathing – you may feel more breathless than usual
- your baby or young child isn’t feeding well, or taking fewer feeds or fluids than usual
- you or your child are urinating less than usual (or your baby has fewer wet nappies)
Because measles is highly contagious, you should phone your GP surgery before visiting.
Dial 999 or head to A&E if you or your child has measles and:
- are struggling severely to breathe – gasping, choking or unable to speak (babies may grunt or their stomach may retract under their ribcage)
- experience a seizure (fit)
- have a rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is pressed against it
- cannot stay awake – unable to keep eyes open for more than a few moments
- suddenly become disoriented – your child may be extremely unsettled, behaving unusually, or crying incessantly
- your child is limp, floppy or not responding as usual – their head may droop to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may struggle to lift their head and focus on your face
- have a rigid neck, or find light uncomfortable or painful