[ad_1]
A MAP has revealed the areas most vulnerable to measles outbreaks as parents are urged to get kids vaccinated.
There were 49 cases between January and April this year — which is almost as many as the 54 seen in the whole of 2022.
The UK Health Security Agency warned jabs should be up to date[/caption]
The UK Health Security Agency warned jabs should be up to date before summer holidays and the festival season.
Local authority data has showed that only half of youngsters are protected against measles in parts of England.
The lowest uptakes are in London. By December, just 74.1% of five-year-olds in London had received two doses of the MMR jab.
London has seen 33 cases of the disease this year – the worst in England.
In Hackney, just 55.2% of five-year-olds had both dosses of the MMR jab.
In the West Midlands, 84.5% have had the jab, while in the East Midlands 86.6% are protected.
In the North West, 86.4% of youngsters are jabbed.
In the South West, 90.7% have been jabbed. In the East of England that number stands at 88.5%.
Next is the South East with 97.6% and Yorks and Humber with 87.5%.
The MMR vaccine nearly wiped out the bug in the 2010s, but uptake tumbled and Britain lost its “elimination” status in 2019, when there were 880 cases.
Those numbers dropped again during Covid lockdowns, but so did take-up rates for the jab, which experts say has resulted in a global increase in measles.
NHS vaccines director Steve Russell said: “It’s clear that when vaccine uptake falls, infections rise, so I strongly urge parents to review the status of their child’s vaccinations.”
Measles is one of the world’s most infectious viruses and spreads by coughs, sneezes and close physical contact.
Most people recover quickly from the disease, but the worst cases can trigger pneumonia, brain damage or death.
All kids are offered two doses of the jab at ages one and three.
Anyone can catch up on missed injections for free at any age.
WHAT IS MEASLES? HOW TO SPOT THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can be very unpleasant and sometimes lead to serious complications.
It’s now uncommon in the UK because of the effectiveness of vaccination.
Anyone can get measles if they haven’t been vaccinated or they haven’t had it before.
It usually clears in 7 to 10 days but can lead to other serious complications.
Symptoms:
Initial symptoms include:
- cold-like symptoms like runny nose, sneezing and a cough
- sore, red eyes
- fever
- small grey-white spots on the inside of the cheeks
- aches and pains
A few days later a red-brown, blotchy rash will appear, usually beginning on the head or upper neck before spreading.
You’ll most likely feel most ill the first few days the rash appears.
Complications:
About one in every 5,000 people will die from measles.
Complications are more likely to develop in:
- babies younger than a year old
- children with a poor diet
- children with a weakened immune system
The most common complications include diarrhoea and vomiting, ear infections, eye infection, pneumonia and bronchitis.
But measles can also lead to other complications, although these are rare:
- hepatitis
- brain infections
- eye problems and vision loss
- heart and nervous system problems
- miscarriage or still birth
- premature birth
- low birth weight
Treatment:
There is no specific treatment.
Your GP will probably suggest resting at home and waiting for it to clear.
You can ease your symptoms with pain killers, but always speak to your GP first.
You can avoid measles by getting vaccinated.
One dose of vaccine can be given to a baby when they are 12-13 months old and a second before they start school.
Countries where vaccination levels are higher have less chance of the disease spreading.
Source: NHS Choices
Cold-like symptoms and red, sore and watery eyes, are usually the first signs of a measles infection, followed by red blotches on the skin[/caption]
[ad_2]
Source link