Measles cases still on the rise
Updated on 09 January 2009
The number of measles cases is continuing to rise.
Figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) showed there were 1,217 cases from January to November 2008 in England and Wales, with 990 cases reported in the whole of 2007.
The latest figures take into account data for November, when 115 cases were reported.
In October, 72 cases were reported and the figure for September was 83.
Year-on-year, the number of people suffering measles is on the rise,
Dr Mary Ramsay, an HPA immunisation expert, said: "We are still experiencing an unprecedented increase in measles cases across England and Wales."
Three-quarters of the 115 cases diagnosed in November last year were outside the traditional hotspot of London and were reported in the West Midlands, North West and South East.
Most of these cases are linked with outbreaks in nurseries, primary and secondary schools and there have been outbreaks in traveller communities in the West Midlands and South East.
Dr Ramsay said: "This continued rise is due to relatively low MMR vaccine uptake over the past decade and there are now a large number of children who are not fully protected with MMR.
"This means that measles, which is highly infectious, is spreading easily among these unvaccinated children.
"The Agency is concerned that we may see measles epidemics take hold. We again are urging parents to get their children vaccinated.
"Although MMR coverage is starting to improve, we cannot stress enough that measles is serious and in some cases it can be fatal. Delaying immunisation puts children at risk.
"We are glad to see that public confidence in the MMR vaccine is now high with more than eight out of ten children receiving one dose of MMR by their second birthday.
"But we shouldn't forget that the children who weren't vaccinated many years ago are at real risk.
"Measles is a very serious infection as it can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis, even in healthy children.
"It is highly infectious and can be passed on without direct contact before the rash appears."
© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
These news feeds are provided by an independent third party and Channel 4 is not responsible or liable to you for the same.
