Measles outbreak declared in UK city as experts issue warning to parents

A university student and a school student in Leicester are confirmed to have caught measles

An outbreak of measles has been declared in a UK city, with experts warning parents to ensure their child is vaccinated against the disease.

Two cases have been confirmed in Leicester, according to the city council, a university student and a school pupil. It comes after seven children were confirmed to have measles in Cardiff over the past six weeks.

Rob Howard, the director of public health in Leicester, said: “We have recently had two confirmed cases of measles in the city; one case is a university student, and the other is a school student.

“Neither have had the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine known as MMR.”

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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said the risk of a measles epidemic across the UK is considered small - but there are now growing concerns over a rise in confirmed cases.

And due to low vaccination rates in London, the UKHSA previously warned an outbreak of between 40,000 and 160,000 cases could occur in the capital.

The latest figures, published on November 3, show there were five cases, including three in London, in September. Since then, local authorities have been publishing their own figures as they seek to encourage more people to get vaccinated.

The MMR vaccines are offered to all children, and are judged to be 99 per cent effective over two doses at the age of five. However, as revealed by The Independent in September, some areas have rates as low as 56 per cent.

Across the UK, 85.6 per cent of children who turned five between January and March this year had received their second dose.

Mr Howard said: “Measles is a very infectious virus and spreads very easily. People who catch measles usually recover completely within a couple of weeks, however it can be a very serious illness that can lead to permanent disability, and occasionally can cause death.”

The NHS in Leicestershire was now working with GP practices in a bid to get more children vaccinated in the coming weeks, the city council said.

Symptoms for measles include a high temperature, sneezing and a cough, followed by a rash on the body. Anyone who thinks they or their child as measles should ask for an urgent appointment with their GP.

The virus is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes - and children impacted should stay off nursery or school for at least four days.

Susanne Howes, consultant in health protection at UKHSA, said: “It’s important that people are alert to the symptoms of measles, which usually starts with cold-like symptoms accompanied by fever, a red-brown blotchy rash, and sore red eyes.

“Initial symptoms of measles develop around 10 days after a person is infected, but can take between 7 to 21 days. If you experience these symptoms seek medical attention but be sure to phone ahead before you visit your GP surgery or other healthcare setting, so arrangements can be made to prevent others from being infected.”