15 February 2024 , 11:02
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The number of people with measles has continued to soar in recent weeks as “clusters of cases” take hold in areas of the UK.
A total of 56 confirmed cases have been found in England in the last week, bringing the total number since October last year to 521, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Since an initial outbreak in the West Midlands, more clusters of cases have taken hold in other regions.
The West Midlands has reported the bulk of measles cases, the figures show, as the area accounts for 55%, and mostly in Birmingham, although case numbers in that region appear to be stabilising. London is next highest with 12% of those reported, followed by the North West (10%), Yorkshire and the Humber (8%) and the East Midlands (9%). The majority of these cases - 343 of 521 or 66 % - are in children under the age of 10 and 25% in young people and adults over the age of 15.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist, said: “As expected, due to worryingly low MMR vaccine uptake in some areas across the country, we are now starting to see clusters of cases in other regions. While parents are coming forward to take up the offer of the MMR vaccine for their children, there are still hundreds of thousands of children who remain unprotected and therefore remain at risk of serious complications or life-long disability.
“Measles is completely preventable with vaccination. I strongly urge parents to take up the offer of the MMR vaccine now to make sure their child is protected.”
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A "national incident" was declared last month by health chiefs after more than 300 cases of measles were confirmed. Officials warn the recent fall in those having their MMR vaccine could be putting children at risk. The outbreak comes as the MMR uptake numbers fell during the Covid pandemic, amid nationwide school closures, the diversion of trained people giving vaccines diverted to administer coronavirus jabs, and the general anti-vaccine attitude after the pandemic.
In Birmingham, council officials have written to parents warning them of the situation. The letter from Birmingham City Council said, which was sent out as children returned from the break, read: “Anyone unvaccinated who is exposed to someone with measles may be advised to isolate for three weeks. This would disrupt their learning or work and could happen repeatedly.” The news comes after the declared the potentially deadly illness eliminated in the UK in 2017.