Parents urged to vaccinate kids after measles outbreak
PARENTS are being urged to vaccinate their children following an outbreak of measles in Newport.
Public Health Wales has confirmed that four people with links to Lliswerry High School have been confirmed as having measles.
It is now encouraging parents to ensure their children have received two doses of the MMR vaccine as it investigates the outbreak.
Public Health Wales described measles as a “serious and highly contagious viral disease” that can cause complications and can even prove fatal.
Children with measles symptoms – which include a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes (conjunctivitis), and a distinctive red rash – should be kept home from school.
Parents should also contact their GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47, and alert them of the symptoms before attending any appointment.
Heather Lewis, consultant in health protection for Public Health Wales, said: “While four cases of measles may not sound a lot, we know that there are other children attending the school who are unvaccinated and could easily catch and spread measles.
“We have written to parents with children at the school to alert them to the risk, and we will are undertaking vaccinations at the school this week.
“Measles is highly infectious and the only way to prevent large outbreaks is through vaccination.
“We urge parents whose children have not received two doses of MMR to ensure that they speak to their GP immediately to arrange this quick, safe and effective vaccine.”
Adults who have never had measles or the MMR vaccine and who work in close contact with children are also urged to ensure they speak to their GP about vaccination.
The first dose of MMR is usually given to babies at 12 months old and the second at three years and four months old, but it is never too late to catch up on missed doses.
The MMR vaccine is recommended by the World Health Organisation, UK Department of Health and Public Health Wales as the most effective and safe way to protect children against measles.
About one in five children with measles can experience serious complications such as ear infections, pneumonia or meningitis.
One in 10 children with measles ends up in hospital and, in rare cases, it can be fatal.
Those with symptoms are asked not to socialise with children, or other vulnerable individuals including infants, pregnant women, and those with a weakened immune system for around 10 days after symptoms start.
The blotchy rash tends to appear a few days after the other symptoms, beginning on the face and spreading downwards to the rest of the body over several days.
There were outbreaks of measles in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Powys last year, and at least one person needed treatment in hospital.