Parents urged to vaccinate children as measles kills 35
A MEASLES outbreak which has struck people in parts of South Wales is the same strain which has killed dozens across Europe.
Public Health Wales has confirmed that two more people have been diagnosed with measles in Newport and Torfaen, bringing the overall total to 12.
It says the outbreak has been caused by the same strain that has affected more than 14,000 people across Europe this year – and killed 35.
Experts are calling on all parents to ensure their children are vaccinated as the school summer holidays begin. Dr Rhianwen Stiff, consultant in com- municable disease control for Public Health Wales, said: “The start of school holidays may mean children coming into contact with people they wouldn’t normally meet, either on holiday or at clubs or large events here in Wales.
“Measles can pass easily between people who are not vaccinated. We are urging parents in Newport, Torfaen and across Wales to ensure their children are up to date with two doses of MMR.”
She also warned parents whose children have a rash not to take them to the GP surgery or A&E department without phoning ahead first. She added: “This is important to make sure that arrangements can be put in place before you arrive, for example so that you don’t share a waiting room with a young baby.
“We have already seen cases of measles in the Gwent outbreak in children too young to be vaccinated who are most likely to have become infected in A&E, and this continues to be a risk.”
Measles is highly infectious and the only way to prevent large outbreaks is through vaccination. Par- ents whose children are not up to date with two doses of MMR should contact their GP practice.
Adults born since 1970, who have never had measles or the MMR vaccine, are also urged to ensure they contact their surgery about vaccination, especially if they work with children.
Visit www.publichealth wales.org/measles