Symptoms you need to know as UK outbreak of Victorian disease confirmed

15 January 2024 , 10:10

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Brits have been urged to get the MMR vaccine (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Measles cases are surging across England and Wales - and with many of its symptoms being compared to a cold, it can be hard to figure out whether you have become infected by the disease.

The Victorian disease is known to rapidly spread and lead to serious illnesses including pneumonia, meningitis, blindness and seizures. Symptoms can include a high temperature, sore eyes and a blocked nose, so it is also important to look out for a rash a few days after the first signs are displayed.

The symptoms usually develop around 10-12 days after being exposed by an infected person and it normally lasts between seven to 10 days. Public Health Wales previously described the symptoms and said: "Measles symptoms include a distinctive red or brown rash that may be more difficult to see on darker skin.

"The rash follows a fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes (conjunctivitis), and children with these symptoms should be kept home from school, nursery or other childcare settings, and away from vulnerable people. The rash typically starts on the head and spreads down the body."

Patients have been told to look out for a rash (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently announced there were 1,603 suspected cases of measles in England and Wales in 2023. The shocking statistics show that cases have spiked from 360 in 2021 to 735 in 2022. It is believed cases have increased due to hesitancy over the MMR jab.

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Doctors expressed their concerns after noticing a surge in cases over in the West Midlands. Dr Naveed Syed commented: "We are seeing cases of measles rising every day in the West Midlands. The virus is very infectious and can spread rapidly among communities, such as schools, if people have not had at least one dose of the MMR vaccine."

Public Health Scotland further revealed that there have been "very few" cases north of the border. Figures show that from the last few weeks of December, there were a total of 57 suspected cases.

Below are the full list of symptoms:

• High temperature
• Runny or blocked nose
• Sneezing
• A cough
• Red, sore, watery eyes
• Small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips a few days later
• A rash usually appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms

Health officials have urged Brits to get the MMR vaccine to protect them from the dangerous disease. The jab can also protect patients from mumps and rubella. The vaccine is available for free on the NHS.

Monica Charsley