The UK is at risk of a ‘surge’ in measles cases in the coming months due to a decline in vaccine uptake, officials have warned.
Unvaccinated children are expected to pick up the virus on summer trips abroad, with a number of popular destinations having seen ‘large’ outbreaks this year, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
France, Italy, Spain and Germany are among those suffering such outbreaks in Europe, which reported 127,350 cases overall last year.
That figure was double the number of cases in 2023 and the highest recorded since 1997.
‘Measles cases are picking up again in England and outbreaks are happening in Europe and many countries with close links to the UK,’ Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said.
Nigeria, Pakistan, India, Romania and Thailand currently have among the highest number of measles cases in the world, according to the World Health Organisation.
The UKHSA said the resurgence of measles is a ‘global’ problem linked to ‘declines in MMR vaccine uptake observed over the last decade, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic’.
More than 17% of children in England have not had a two-dose MMR vaccine, which is needed for full protection.
That figure rises to nearly 28% in London, which has reported almost half of all cases in the past four weeks.
There have been 420 lab-confirmed cases in England so far this year, of which 109 were in April and 86 in May.
‘Cases have predominantly been in unvaccinated children aged 10 years and under,’ officials said, ‘but there are also cases being reported in young people and adults’.
After London, the biggest hotspots currently are the North West (25% of cases in the past four weeks) and the West Midlands (11%).
Children do not have full protection if they received their first dose after their first birthday but were not taken to get the second (given between three-and-a-half and five years old).
Full protection can be given at higher ages by taking two doses at least one month apart, the NHS says.
The most contagious virus known to humans, measles can rapidly trigger large outbreaks as each infected individual can transmit the disease to another 18 on average.
It typically causes cold-like symptoms at first before triggering a widespread, blotchy rash across the body.
In some cases it can suppress the immune system, making the patient vulnerable to other viruses like pneumonia, which can be deadly in children.
Dr Saliba continued: ‘It’s essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with 2 MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family.
‘Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences. Nobody wants this for their child and it’s not something you want to experience when away on holiday.
‘The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles. Babies under the age of 1 and some people who have weakened immune systems can’t have the vaccine and are at risk of more serious complications if they get measles. They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them.
‘It is never too late to catch up, if you’re not sure if any of your family are up to date, check their Red Book or contact your GP practice. Don’t put it off and regret it later.’
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