MMR vaccination rates too low to halt epidemic as measles cases in Wales double in three weeks

Public Health Wales is urging parents, carers and communities to ensure that all children are given the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab as cases in the outbreak centred on Swansea reach 432.

Case numbers have more than doubled in the last three weeks, up from just over 200 on 4 March.

An extra 116 cases have been reported in the last week alone and 51 people have been hospitalised.

Although cases have been reported across Wales, the majority are in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Powys and Hywel Dda and Local Health Board areas. The outbreak of this highly infectious and potentially fatal virus shows no signs of fading.

The likelihood that unvaccinated children anywhere across the country will come into contact with those already infected is increasing every day. Those not vaccinated are highly likely to catch the disease and it is just a matter of time before a child is left with serious and permanent complications such as eye disorders, deafness or brain damage, or dies.

Public Health Wales is urging parents of all children aged between one and 18 in Wales who have not been fully vaccinated to contact their GP for advice and to arrange vaccination as soon as possible.

Dr Marion Lyons, Director of Health Protection for Public Health Wales, said: “Measles is now spreading at an alarming rate across areas of Wales. Worryingly there are still tens of thousands of susceptible children across Wales, yet our weekly monitoring of vaccination rates shows only a slight increase in numbers receiving MMR jabs.

“If the numbers of parents bringing their children for MMR jabs does not dramatically increase, measles will continue to spread and quickly reach levels last seen in the outbreak in Dublin in 1999/2000. In that outbreak over 1200 children were infected and three died.

“The risk to unvaccinated children in Wales is increasing as the disease spreads. You only need one or two people who haven’t had the vaccination in a community to put at risk babies, toddlers and anyone else who is vulnerable, such as children with leukaemia who cannot have the vaccination and pregnant women who haven’t been vaccinated.

“A simple and safe jab from your GP will protect your child’s health, could save their life, and will help protect other children too. It is the only precaution you can take at this time, and I would urge parents to contact their GP today to get their children’s MMR vaccinations up to date.

“If you haven’t thought about it – think about it today, and make an appointment with your GP for your child to get the MMR jab.

“If you’re worried about the jab – I would reassure you that the jab is safe and offers the only protection against measles. Get your child vaccinated.

“If you are planning to have your child vaccinated – contact your GP today and get the vaccination as soon as possible.

“The MMR jab is recommended by the World Health Organization, UK Department of Health and Public Health Wales as the most effective and safe way to protect children against measles. The numbers of cases of measles and continuing spread of the disease in Wales illustrates how vital it is for parents to get their children vaccinated.

“Ninety per cent of children receiving one dose of MMR are very quickly protected against measles. For those completing the recommended two-dose course of MMR, 99 per cent of children will be protected against measles. Children who have not been fully immunised face a life-long risk of catching measles.

To prevent the spread of the illness, Public Health Wales has issued the following advice:

If your child is unvaccinated make immediate arrangements with your GP for them to receive the MMR jab. This is even more important if your child has had contact with someone with measles.

If your child is unwell and you suspect it is measles you should contact your GP. Your child should not attend school or nursery for four days after the rash starts.

Telephone your GP surgery to inform them you or your child has a rash illness before attending, so that arrangements can be made in advance for minimising contact with other vulnerable patients.

Avoid going to A&E unless you are seriously ill, and if you do attend, telephone ahead to let them know you or your child may have measles.

Avoid contact with pregnant women, people with weak immune systems and babies who are too young to be vaccinated, as they are more vulnerable to infection and there are very few treatments available to help them if they do catch measles.

If any family members are pregnant, receiving chemotherapy, or aged under one, it is vital to ensure that all other family members are up to date with their MMR vaccination.

Maternity wards, midwives and health visitors are being asked to share information with parents to encourage them to check the vaccination status of all children in the family to avoid further household spread amongst vulnerable groups.

Further information on measles, including a link to a video testimony from a mother whose three year old unvaccinated daughter contracted measles, is available at:

http://www.publichealthwales.org/measles