The UK is in the grip of a sudden spike in measles, with health officials declaring the outbreak a ‘national incident’.
The surge has been linked to a decline in vaccine uptake, as a rise in health disinformation and ‘anti-vax’ conspiracy theories has put parents off getting their children jabbed.
There were 209 laboratory confirmed cases in 2023 – almost quadruple the number recorded in the previous year.
However not all measles cases are laboratory confirmed. There were 1,603 suspected cases of measles in England and Wales in 2023, based on notifications from doctors making a diagnosis. That’s up from 735 suspected cases in 2022.
In the last four weeks of 2023, there were 217 cases in England and Wales.
Public Health Scotland have said they have recorded ‘very few’ cases.
The measles surge is particularly severe in the West Midlands, with cases in the area at the highest level since at least the mid-1990s, according to health officials.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital has treated more than 50 children with measles in the past month – the highest number the hospital has seen in years.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that London could also be at risk of a measles outbreak, as MMR vaccine uptake in the city is low.
The surge isn’t just confined to the England and Wales. Across Europe, there were 30,000 confirmed cases up to October last year, compared to just 941 the year before.
From how to treat the disease to why the rise is happening now, here’s everything you need to know about the current measles outbreak.
What is measles? What it looks like in pictures
Measles is a highly contagious disease, usually associated with a rash all over the body.
It is an airborne virus, which means that it spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.
The measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves.
An infected person will spread the disease to 20 others, on average.
9 out of 10 people who aren’t vaccinated will catch the diseases if they are near an infected person.
How dangerous is measles?
For most people, a measles infection will pass in 7 to 10 days without further complications.
However, in some cases, measles can lead to other medical problems, such as pneumonia, meningitis, blindness and seizures.
For every 1,000 people infected with measles, between one and three will die. Children under five and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk, with 40% of under fives who test positive requiring hospital care.
Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, said that unvaccinated children have a ‘really high chance’ of catching the disease if exposed to it.
‘For children, measles is far more lethal than Covid ever was,’ he said.
Pregnant women should seek medical advise if they have come into close contact with someone with measles, as the disease can be harmful to unborn babies.
What are the symptoms of measles?
At first, the symptoms of measles are similar to the symptoms of a cold. These initial symptoms, which develop nine to 11 days after infection, include a high temperature, red watery eyes, coughing and sneezing.
As the disease develops, a red or brown rash starts on the face and behind the ears and spreads to the rest of the body. The rash, which usually isn’t itchy, can last for up to two weeks.
Another less common symptom is small red spots with blue-white centres inside the mouth.
Measles treatment
The NHS advises that anyone who suspects that they or their child have measles should ask for an urgent GP appointment.
There is no specific drug to treat measles, but the NHS says that paracetamol or ibuprofen can help relieve fever symptoms.
Infected people should rest and drink plenty of fluids.
If crusts appear on rashes, especially around the eyes, the NHS advises to gently dab the area with cotton wool or a towel soaked in warm water
Children with measles should stay at home for four days after a rash appears, in order to slow down the spread.
Why are cases on the rise?
The World Health Organisation declared the UK measles-free in 2016. However, misinformation about vaccine safety, pandemic delays to routine GP visits and concerns about vaccine ingredients has led to a drop in vaccine uptake.
In 2022-23, 84.5% of children had had two does by the time they were five years old, according to NHS figures. That’s the lowest level since 2010-11.
Royal College president Dr Camilla Kingdon warned of a winter surge.
‘Many paediatricians I know live in fear of potential measles outbreaks this winter,’ she added.
One version of the MMR vaccine uses pork gelatin, which some people are unable to take.
However, a version that doesn’t use pork gelatin is available.
How can I protect myself and my family against measles?
The MMR vaccines protects against measles, mumps and rubella (german measles).
It’s offered to children in two doses, the first before age two and the second before age five. Parents will be contacted by their GP surgery when their child is due their vaccination.
It is estimated that measles vaccinations has prevented 20 million measles cases and 4,500 deaths since its introduction in 1968.
95% of the population need to be vaccinated in order to create ‘herd immunity’ – when the spread of a disease is unlikely for the whole community, even those who aren’t vaccinated.
How do I get a measles vaccine?
The MMR vaccine can be given at any age, and can be booked on the NHS.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said it’s never to late to catch up on the vaccine.
She said: ‘Vaccines are our best line of defence against diseases like measles, mumps and rubella and help stop outbreaks occurring in the community.’
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