Avoid the Three M’s: Advice Issued to Students

9 September 2011

Health experts are stressing the importance of ensuring protection with the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine and Meningitis C vaccine before they return to campus, following outbreaks of some of these infections in students across the region in the previous academic year (2010/11). This included a large outbreak of measles in Leeds students earlier in 2011.

In a leaflet made available today on the HPA website, students are also advised on how to spot the early signs of these serious infections.

There were 777 laboratory confirmed cases of measles reported to the HPA in England and Wales between January and July 2011. The Yorkshire and the Humber region reported the highest number of cases outside London and the South of England for this period, confirming 56 cases of measles infection. The majority of these cases were in individuals under 25 years of age, and linked to the outbreak in the Leeds student population. This compares to 33 cases recorded in the region for the whole of 2010.

Dr Louise Coole, Regional Epidemiologist and Immunisation Lead for HPA Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Measles and meningitis are infections that can cause serious illness, and can even be fatal. It is crucial that all students ensure they are completely up to date with all their vaccinations, especially the MMR and Meningitis C vaccine. Students should check with their parents that they’ve received both vaccinations before starting university or college and remember, two doses of the MMR vaccine are needed for optimum protection.”

“University campuses and student gatherings where lots of students are in close proximity provide an ideal opportunity for bacteria and viruses to spread which is why we may see more outbreaks of these infections among the student population.“

Mumps also remained in circulation throughout the last university term, with 164 cases reported in Yorkshire and the Humber between January to March 2011, with teenagers and young adults mostly affected.
Dr Coole added: “The MMR will protect against measles, mumps and rubella – all serious infections that can lead to many complications. Mumps can be a very unpleasant illness and can require hospital treatment. Though a rare complication, mumps can also cause infertility. Not everyone will know if they have had their two doses of the MMR vaccine and the Meningitis C vaccine, but young people should check with their parents to see if they’re up-to-date with these vaccinations. If anyone is not up-to-date, or is unsure, they can check with their GP, who will also be able to arrange for any necessary vaccinations to help ensure protection against these infections.”

In 2010 there were 896 cases of meningococcal infection, which is one of the most common causes of meningitis, a serious infection that causes the lining of the brain to become inflamed, and in some cases can prove fatal. In Yorkshire and the Humber, 80 cases were laboratory confirmed in 2010, and 33 were confirmed in the region for January to March 2011 alone. A further 32 cases were diagnosed clinically by healthcare professionals. Of these 65 cases, 13 were in individuals aged 15 – 29 years.

Dr Coole said: “Ensuring vaccination with the meningitis C vaccine is important, but we should also remember that there are some types of meningitis for which we don’t have a vaccine. Meningitis B is more common than other types of the disease and so remaining alert to the signs and symptoms of the disease is equally important.“

ENDS

Notes for editors:

• For a copy of the leaflet visit http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionControl/
• For the health protection report with the latest information on measles, mumps and rubella please visit http://www.hpa.org.uk/hpr/archives/2011/news3411.htm#msls07
• For the latest information on numbers of meningococcal infection please visit http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/MeningococcalDisease/EpidemiologicalData/
• The Health Protection Agency is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards. It does this by providing advice and information to the general public, to health professionals such as doctors and nurses, and to national and local government. From April 2012 the HPA will become part of Public Health England. To find out more, visit our website: www.hpa.org.uk

Issued by:
Charlotte Farrar
Charlotte.farrar@hpa.org.uk
0113 284 061198/ 07810 684 104

Last reviewed: 20 October 2011