UK: Measles epidemic looms in Warwickshire

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Source: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/ne...pidemic-looms-in-warwickshire-92746-22313667/


Measles epidemic looms in Warwickshire

Nov 21 2008

STRATFORD-ON-AVON is on the ?cusp? of a measles epidemic as 27 children mostly under the age of 10 are now suspected to have caught the highly contagious disease - compared to just seven cases last November.

NHS Warwickshire and the Health Protection Agency are blaming a low uptake of the MMR vaccine in the Stratford area. Parents are being strongly urged to get their children immunised as measles continues to spread.

Three cases of suspected measles were reported in Stratford on November 3, by November 7 this rose to 12.

Last year there were only seven suspected cases of measles reported for the entire month of November.

And in the whole of the West Midlands, there have been 32 laboratory confirmed cases between January to September 2008.

Dr Huda Mohamed, Director for the Health Protection Agency in Warwickshire, said: ?We are on the cusp of a measles epidemic and we must do all we can to head it off by encouraging parents to immunise their children. The only sure way for an individual to avoid measles is to have two doses of MMR vaccine, preferably by age five, but at any age if people have been previously unvaccinated.

?Measles is an unpleasant illness even in its mildest form. We, alongside colleagues in the NHS, are urging all parents to ensure that their children are adequately vaccinated against it. The complications which can occur as a result of having measles can be severe,

The national target is for 95 per cent of children to have their firs

 

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Re: UK: Measles epidemic looms in Warwickshire

Source: http://www.birminghampost.net/news/...-on-the-rise-in-west-midlands-65233-22350335/

Measles cases are on the rise in West Midlands

Nov 27 2008 by Alison Dayani, Birmingham Post

Shock figures reveal cases of measles have shot up a third in the West Midlands from last year, with nearly 80 infections in less than a month.

Health Protection Agency officials urged parents to have children vaccinated with the Measles jab or combined Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination to halt risk of an epidemic.

Latest statistics show there were 79 from November 1 with clusters in Warwickshire, with 36, Worcestershire, 16, and Staffordshire, 11.

Dr Gillian Smith, regional immunisation lead for the Health Protection Agency in the West Midlands, said: ?We are concerned by the growing numbers of measles cases and must do all we can to halt the spread of the disease by encouraging parents to immunise children.

?It?s worrying we potentially have over 70 cases of measles in the West Midlands recently ? we estimate comparing it to November last year, cases are up a third. My fear is we will see further clusters in the region. Our priority is to improve Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination uptake rates. The only sure way for an individual to avoid measles is to have two doses of MMR vaccine, preferably by age five, but at any age if people have been previously unvaccinated.

?Most cases are among children so we, and colleagues in the NHS, are urging parents to ensure their children are adequately vaccinated.

?Measles is an unpleasant illness even in its mildest form. The complications as a result of measles can be severe, sometimes long-lasting, and on rare occasions can result in death. The safest way to avoid this is with two doses of the MMR vaccine. I would like to reassure parents the MMR is a safe and effective vaccine and is given to millions of children worldwide. Those children who have not been immunised are at risk.?

Children are given their first MMR vaccination at 13 months. A second dose should be given at three years and four months of age.

The national target is for 95 per cent of children to be immunised with their first MMR jab just after their first birthday, and a second jab for pre-school youngsters. But, in the region, the level of immunisation is below this national target at 87.7 per cent, causing more measles cases to emerge and spread. Low numbers of children being vaccinated is also believed to have been caused by controversial claims of a link to autism by Dr Andrew Wakefield in 1998.

 

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Re: UK: Measles epidemic looms in Warwickshire

Source:http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/ne...s-cases-increase-in-stratford-92746-22402940/

Measles cases increase in Stratford
Dec 4 2008 By Catherine Vonledebur

A MEASLES outbreak is showing no signs of tailing off as the number of suspected cases rises to 46 in Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick.

Six suspected cases have also been reported in Coventry.

The Health Protection Agency is calling for parents to get their children immunised with two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.

Measles cases are soaring across England and Wales with 1,049 confirmed cases so far this year, surpassing last year?s total of 990.

In east Cheshire around Crewe where 70 cases have been reported this year doctors are preparing a mass immunisation programme.

In the West Midlands there are currently 74 suspected cases of measles with Staffordshire, South Warwickshire and Worcestershire worst affected.

Dr Gillian Smith, regional immunisation lead for the Health Protection Agency in the West Midlands, said: ?I can?t stress enough how vital it is that those people who haven?t yet been immunised against measles book their MMR jab.

?Most cases are among children and so we are urging all parents to ensure that their children are immunised with two doses of the MMR vaccine.