Hospital alert over measles outbreak

MEDICS at Nuneaton’s hospital have treated six patients in just ONE week for measles prompting a plea to ensure people have their jabs.

The George Eliot Hospital has confirmed that they have treated six patients, none of whom can be identified, for measles in the past week alone.

It has prompted them to back a campaign launched by Public Health England and NHS England West Midlands to remind parents of the importance of immunising their children.

June Ayre, infection prevention lead nurse at the ‘Eliot, said: “We have treated six people over the past week who were admitted with measles. All are recovering, but we urge local people who may have missed vaccinations to make sure they and their families are immunised as soon as possible.”

Parents of children under fiveyear-olds who have missed their MMR vaccinations are the targets of the campaign in the wake of the fact that there has been 100 cases of measles confirmed in the Midlands.

Reminder letters are being set out and, at the same time, PHE has written to all GPs asking them to be on the alert for the symptoms of measles and to take the opportunity to immunise children and adults who may not have received two doses of the MMR vaccine.

Dr Bharat Sibal, PHE West Midlands lead consultant in communicable disease control, said: “Those affected are all recovering, but it’s important to understand measles can be a very serious illness and lead to severe complications, especially in people who are particularly vulnerable or have other health conditions.

“The current outbreak in the West Midlands has seen 51 per cent of cases admitted to hospital.

“The misery caused by measles is entirely preventable. The free MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting against measles, as well as mumps and rubella.

“The ages of people affected ranges from three months to 50 years, however the average age is five years.”