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MMR vaccine plea as Measles continues to spread

3 November 2008

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West is stepping up its drive to increase MMR uptake rates following reports of yet another measles outbreak in the region, this time in Liverpool.

Eight cases have been reported in the city. Three have been confirmed by laboratory testing and five are probable cases. Further test results are pending. An unusual feature of this outbreak is that two of the confirmed cases are unrelated adults, aged 23 and 34.

Dr. Paul Grey, Director of Public Health with Liverpool Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: "We at Liverpool PCT are working closely with the Health Protection Agency and primary care partners to ensure that those who need protection are aware of the risks from measles and can obtain vaccination promptly."

Dr. Roberto Vivancos, Consultant in Health Protection with the HPA's Cheshire and Merseyside Health Protection Unit, said: "This is the fourth measles outbreak in this region in a matter of months. We are currently dealing with 22 reported cases in Cheshire; there were well over 100 reports in Lancashire during the summer; and there was a smaller outbreak in Greater Manchester earlier in the year.

"Measles has the potential to cause serious complications, such as meningitis and encephalitis. On rare occasions it can kill. The only sure way for a young person to avoid measles is to have two doses of MMR vaccine, preferably by age five, but at any age up to 18 if people have been previously unvaccinated.

"MMR is safe, proven and effective. If sufficient children are vaccinated to create herd immunity in the community, the spin-off benefit will be that adults will also be protected."

Dr. Rosemary McCann, the Health Protection Agency's immunisation lead for the North West of England said: "We are on the cusp of a measles epidemic and we and our PCT partners must do all we can to head it off by working with GP practices, schools and parents to encourage MMR uptake.

"Anyone up to the age of 18 is entitled to MMR immunisation on the NHS. Young people who are unsure of their immunisation status, with concerns, or just seeking further 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: 3 November 2008