MMR Plea to Parents Following Measles Outbreak

27 October 2008

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West has renewed its plea to parents to vaccinate their children with two doses of MMR vaccine following a measles outbreak in Cheshire.

Three laboratory confirmed cases and a further 11 probable or possible cases have been reported in the Sandbach and Middlewich areas. Further laboratory test results are awaited.

One child needed hospital treatment but has since recovered and been allowed to go home. MMR vaccination has been offered to household and other close contacts according to national guidelines.

Dr. Sam Ghebrehewet, Consultant in Health Protection with the HPA's Cheshire and Merseyside Health Protection Unit, said: "It's worrying that we potentially have 14 cases of measles in Cheshire and my fear is that we will see further outbreaks, here and elsewhere in the region. There has already been a large outbreak in the Blackpool area of Lancashire and a small outbreak in the Manchester vicinity.

"That is why it is so important for all children and young people up to the age of 18 to be protected by two doses of MMR vaccine and our Primary Care Trust partners are working with schools and GP practices to get that message across to parents, guardians and young people themselves.

"Children and young people who have not had the benefit of two doses of MMR vaccine will be vulnerable to measles, mumps and rubella and there is a lot of measles about at the present time. The risk is real."

Dr. Ghebrehewet stressed that measles is a serious illness that can cause complications such as meningitis and encephalitis. On rare occasions, it can kill.

Anyone with concerns or seeking information about the MMR campaign should consult their family doctor.

Note to editors

Measles is an infectious viral illness that at one time affected up to 800,000 people every year. Since the introduction of measles vaccine, and especially since the introduction of MMR vaccine in 1988, the numbers of cases have reduced dramatically.

There is no specific treatment for measles.  Doctors and nurses treat the symptoms by, for instance, reducing fever. (Aspirin should not be given to anyone under 16 years old). Occasionally, antibiotics may be needed to treat a secondary bacterial infection.

People are infectious from just before they become unwell until around four days after the onset of the rash. Those affected should stay off work or school for five days from the onset of the rash.

Classic symptoms of measles are:

• Fever
• Cough
• Red and painful eyes
• Swollen glands
• Loss of appetite
• Rash, which tends to follow 3-4 days after onset of the above symptoms

Most people will recover from measles without too many problems, but a significant number will develop complications. These may include:

• Ear infection (one in 20)
• Pneumonia/bronchitis (one in 25)
• Convulsion (one in 200)
• Diarrhoea (one in six)
• Hospital admission (one in 100)
• Meningitis/encephalitis (one in 1,000)
• Late onset subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) (one in 8,000 children under two years old). SSPE is a rare degenerative neurological condition that can develop some years after measles infection. It causes brain damage and death. The risk is greatest in those who were infected with measles at a young age. The average interval from measles infection to onset of SSPE is eight years. Death invariably follows. Since the introduction of live attenuated measles vaccine in the 1960s, the incidence of SSPE has dramatically decreased.
• Death (one in 2,500-5,000))

Further information is available from:
http://www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk/
http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/measles/menu.htm

Press release issued by Hugh Lamont, Communications Manager, HPA North West. Tel. 0151-482-5728 or 07764-906508.

Last reviewed: 30 October 2008