UK: Measles outbreak in Camborne

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2230509.mostviewed.measles_outbreak_in_camborne.php

Measles outbreak in Camborne
Comment

Parents in the Kerrier district are being warned about the dangers of measles following an outbreak of the infection at St John's School in Camborne.

Over the last two weeks, two schoolchildren aged six and seven have been confirmed with the illness, with another eight local children suspected of having picked up the infection.

All affected children are at home and recovering well from the infection. The school has worked hard to keep all parents informed since the outbreak was confirmed.

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Protection Team have been working closely with the school since confirmation of the first case last week.

Information letters with factsheets have been sent to all parents, informing them of the outbreak, symptoms of measles and advising that any children who have not had the MMR jab, should be immunised as soon as possible.

Anyone wanting to check their child's immunisation history or book an appointment for immunisation should contact their GP surgery. GPs in the area have also been asked to look out for children with the symptoms of measles which include a fever, cough, red and painful eyes, swollen glands, loss of appetite and a rash that tends to follow three to four days after onset of the other symptoms.

Felicity Owen, director of public health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "Measles is a very infectious bug. With the large number of cases in and around London, it's really only been a matter of time before Cornwall had an outbreak of measles. Now that it has arrived, we've got the chance to act quickly to minimise the spread of this infection.

"I'd appeal to any parents who have not yet had their children vaccinated to get them protected as soon as possible. I give this advice as a health professional and as a parent because I have had to ensure the same protection for my daughter.

"MMR doesn't only protect children; it also limits the chances of the virus spreading more widely, for example to children who are too young to have the vaccine."

1:17pm today

 

[tropical]

Re: UK: Measles outbreak in Camborne

"Felicity Owen, director of public health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "Measles is a very infectious bug. With the large number of cases in and around London, it's really only been a matter of time before Cornwall had an outbreak of measles. Now that it has arrived, we've got the chance to act quickly to minimise the spread of this infection.

"I'd appeal to any parents who have not yet had their children vaccinated to get them protected ..."

Mabye the best results will be achieved by mandate, not appeal ...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: UK: Measles outbreak in Camborne

Source: http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/dis...me=yes&more_nodeId1=232470&contentPK=20499124

WARNING OVER MEASLES OUTBREAK

11:00 - 29 April 2008

An outbreak of measles at a school in West Cornwall has prompted health bosses to urge parents to vaccinate their children.

In the past fortnight, two children, aged six and seven, who are pupils at St John's School in Camborne, have been confirmed as suffering from the infection.

A further eight youngsters at the school are also suspected of having contracted measles.

All ten children are recovering well at home, but health bosses said parents must ensure their children are immunised.

Felicity Owen, director of public health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said cases had occurred elsewhere in the UK.

"Measles is a very infectious bug," she said.

"With the large number of cases in and around London, it's really only been a matter of time before Cornwall had an outbreak.

"Now that it has arrived, we've got the chance to act quickly to minimise the spread of this infection."

Dr Owen said the only certain way to stem the spread of the infection was to immunise children.

"While most people who catch measles will recover completely within a couple of weeks, it's important to remember measles can be a very serious illness that can leave permanent disability, and even kill."

St John's School declined to comment on the measles cases, however, as a result of them all schools in the area will be contacted by the Health Protection Agency.

Parents have been warned to look out for symptoms, which can include fever, a cough, red and painful eyes, swollen glands, loss of appetite and a rash, which tends to follow three to four days after onset of the other symptoms.

This is the first measles outbreak for five years in Cornwall, although the infection has recently been under the spotlight since concerns were raised about alleged links between the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and autism.

Uptake of MMR vaccine is currently around 86 per cent of all children in the county.

Dr Brian Guttridge, director of the South West Peninsula Health Protection Unit, said: "All schools and parents need to be aware that this infection is back among us and we can do something to stop it spreading.

"We really need to have more than 95 per cent of our children fully vaccinated to stop measles in its tracks.

"MMR is the safest way to protect our children, exposing them to this infection is not.

"The alleged link between MMR and autism has been disproved time and again and the rising number of parents choosing MMR shows that confidence is the vaccine is returning.

"However, over time many children have been left unprotected through missing out on a jab, so we do need to see them immunised and stop them falling victim to this unpleasant and potentially serious infection.

"Otherwise the virus may spread quickly and easily among them."