- Measles cases hit decade high
- West Midlands epicentre; vaccinations urged
- NHS launches catch-up initiative
Measles cases have reached their highest levels in over a decade, according to official statistics.
According to the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), an additional 118 individuals have contracted the virus in England in the past week alone – that’s half the number for the entire month of January.
As the number of confirmed cases rises to 465, surpassing the previous significant outbreak in 2013, concerns grow that containment efforts are failing.
The West Midlands continues to be the epicentre of the epidemic, with the majority of cases concentrated in and around Birmingham, and cases also increasing in London, according to health officials.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, the UKHSA’s consultant epidemiologist, stated that it “remains a concern” and urged guardians to ensure their children are adequately protected.
“Measles is highly contagious, and there is a real risk it will spread to other areas,” she stated.
“Parents should be aware that measles is a preventable disease despite being a miserable illness for most children and, sadly, can be fatal for some.”
“The best way to protect yourself and your children is through vaccination.” I strongly urge parents to protect their child immediately by accepting the offer.
Surge in Measles Cases Alarms UK
The latest increase in weekly confirmed cases brings the total to well over 300, recorded in July 2013 during the last significant outbreak.
Health officials reported that 66% of cases have occurred in children younger than 10 years old, while 25% have occurred in adolescents and adults older than 15 years old.
71% of the cases have been concentrated in the West Midlands, 13% in the capital, and 7% in Yorkshire and the Humber.
As a result, vaccination rates for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) have fallen, leaving one in ten children entering school in England unprotected.
Dr Michael Head, Senior Research Fellow in Global Health at the University of Southampton, predicted that unless vaccination rates improve, the outbreaks will persist.
He stated, “Measles is more contagious than even the most recent COVID-19 variants, and transmission can occur up to four days before the onset of symptoms.
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“With approximately 75% vaccination coverage in some areas of the West Midlands, there are more than enough susceptible individuals who could contract the disease and spread it further.” Consequently, we regrettably expect these recently documented increases.
Combatting Measles with Vaccination Push
The initiation of catch-up vaccination campaigns and the recent media attention will presumably result in the outbreak being brought under control as soon as possible. However, it is not impossible to anticipate additional surges in the number of reported cases in the near future, and for the foreseeable future, health services will continue to endure the strains of this outbreak.
Following a concerning rise in cases, the UK Health Security Agency declared a “national incident” and called for action weeks prior to this development.
Irish health officials disclosed on Wednesday that a man in his late 40s had died in Birmingham after contracting measles.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ‘alarming’ 45-fold increase in the continent, and international travel poses a risk of further transmission.
With over 3.4 million children under the age of 16 unprotected, the NHS has launched a vaccination catch-up initiative.
It is also extending invitations to individuals in certain areas of the Midlands, Greater Manchester, and London who are at least 25 years old and have not received both doses of the MMR vaccine.
This information is available via the NHS App or by contacting the patient’s GP.
Steve Russell, Director of Vaccinations and Screening for the NHS, stated, “As measles cases rise in certain areas of the country, we are inviting all parents and guardians of eligible children to get the vaccine in an effort to prevent the disease’s spread.”
The NHS Vaccination Strategy aims to promote voluntary vaccination by strengthening public confidence in vaccines, expanding collaborations with reputable community leaders, and ensuring vaccine accessibility through more convenient locations.
