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Leeds Measles Cases - Health Experts Stress Importance of MMR

21 March 2011

Public health experts are reminding people of the importance of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination following recent confirmation of cases of measles in Leeds, and further reports of possible cases in the city. 


West Yorkshire Health Protection Unit and NHS Leeds are aware of a total of 14 laboratory confirmed case of measles and a further five possible cases of the disease, bringing the total number of reported cases since the beginning of February to 19.  Investigations so far have shown that the majority of cases are students, indicating that measles is circulating within the student community in Leeds.

Measles is highly infectious and is spread through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Being vaccinated is very important, not just to protect individuals, but also to stop the virus from spreading in the community and potentially seriously affecting others.

All individuals concerned are recovering well and health professionals have been working to ensure that any close contacts of the cases have been identified and provided with appropriate health advice. Information on the signs and symptoms of the disease and the importance of MMR vaccination has been provided to students through local universities. Information has also being provided to Leeds GPs and other healthcare professionals.

Dr Mike Gent, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control at West Yorkshire Health Protection Unit, said: "Measles can be a very dangerous illness and these recent cases are a cause for concern as they are the first confirmed cases we have seen in Leeds since 2009.

"Prior to vaccination measles was most common among children aged 1-4 years old. However, the recent cases in adults demonstrate that anyone, of any age, who has not been vaccinated against measles is at risk from the disease."

Dr Simon Balmer, Public Health Consultant for NHS Leeds, said: "People are best protected from the measles virus when they have been given two doses of the MMR vaccination. The vaccination also protects against mumps and rubella and I would continue to remind all parents and young people in Leeds of the importance of this safe and effective immunisation, offered routinely in childhood, to protect both individuals and our whole community from these infections.

"It is never too late for children and young adults to get immunised with the MMR vaccine. If you or your child has not been vaccinated, please contact your GP or health visitor to arrange to get them protected against what can be very dangerous illnesses."

Dr Gent added: "We know that one of the recent cases is a travel related case, also reminding us that measles is still common in many developing countries. Anyone travelling to these countries who is unsure of their MMR status is advised to check that they have received two doses of the vaccine. 

"Whilst the success of the MMR vaccine means that cases of measles in the UK are relatively rare, in recent years the number of cases confirmed nationally has been increasing, with around 50 cases of measles confirmed in the Yorkshire and the Humber region in each of the last few years."

Symptoms of measles include:

 Fever
 Irritability
 Cold/catarrh symptoms - runny nose, sore and runny eyes
 Dry croupy cough
 White ( Kopliks ) spots on the gums ( 2nd and 3rd day )
 Diarrhoea - often in the early stages in children

If you think you or your child may have measles, contact your GP for advice and inform them that you have symptoms of measles.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

 

Issued by Charlotte Farrar
Charlotte.farrar@hpa.org.uk
0113 284 0618
07810 684 104

 

Last reviewed: 5 April 2011