Holidaymakers warned over measles
HOLIDAYMAKERS have been told to vaccinate against measles after European figures hit an eight-year high.
There were more than 41,000 cases in the first six months of 2018, including 37 deaths, said the World Health Organisation.
Ukraine has been the hardest hit with more than 23,000 people affected.
And France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Russia and Serbia have all had more than 1,000 cases each this year. Public Health England warned students starting university or festival goers to ensure they are protected.
PHE figures from January 1 to August 6 show there were 807 laboratory measles cases, many linked to European outbreaks.
Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at PHE, said: “The majority of cases are in teenagers and young adults who missed their MMR vaccine as children.
“We would encourage people to ensure they are up to date with their MMR vaccine.”