MEASLES – UK (04): (ENGLAND) LONDON, INCREASED NUMBERS
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Sun 14 Apr 2024
Source: The Independent [edited]
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/measles-vaccine-london-west-midlands-outbreak-b2528496.html
London has overtaken the West Midlands with the largest number of
measles cases, raising concerns that the capital could become a
hotspot for the disease. Over the last 6 months, a dramatic increase
has been reported in the number of infections, with 62 of the 195
cases being based in the capital since 11 Mar [2024]. This is in
comparison to just 11 cases in the whole of March 2023.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that England is
seeing the highest number of infections in a decade, with vaccination
rates among children consistently falling. To prevent a major
outbreak, a minimum of 95 percent of the population needs to be
vaccinated with the MMR jabs, yet millions of children under the age
of 16 are not fully protected. Measles is highly contagious and
usually starts with cold-like symptoms, such as a high temperature,
before a rash forms a few days later. It can lead to meningitis and
blindness and is particularly dangerous among pregnant women.
Dr Mary Ramsay, the UKHSA head of immunization, said: “We are now
seeing the highest case numbers in this country for a decade, with
over 1000 cases being reported since October 2023. “Last year, UKHSA
warned of the risk of a major measles outbreak in the capital if
uptake of the MMR vaccine didn’t improve. NHS and local areas have
been working tirelessly on improving access and working with us to
encourage people to get their children vaccinated.”
The UKHSA has warned families traveling overseas for their summer
holidays to ensure their children’s vaccinations are up to date, with
particular concerns around the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, known as
the Hajj, which occurs in June. There are growing concerns that
unvaccinated travelers could bring the disease back to the UK, with
vaccination rates as low as 54 percent in parts of London.
Greg Fell, the president of the Association of Directors of Public
Health, said: “Measles is a very transmissible virus, and London is
one of the most densely populated parts of Europe with pockets of
large numbers of susceptible people. That’s perfect conditions for an
outbreak to occur.”
Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: “We are
continuing to see measles cases in all regions of England, with cases
particularly high in the West Midlands and London, so it is vital that
people are fully protected by 2 doses of the MMR vaccine. It only
takes one case to get into a community with low vaccination rates for
measles to spread rapidly, especially in schools and nurseries. We
know that hundreds of thousands of children around the country,
particularly in some inner-city areas, are still not fully vaccinated
and are at risk of serious illness or life-long complications, but
measles is completely preventable with vaccination.”