Concerns at spread of measles infections

MORE than 1,000 suspected cases of measles have been diagnosed this year in England and Wales, with infections identified in the South West.

In 2017, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the UK had eliminated measles due to high coverage of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR vaccine).

However, with vaccine coverage at its lowest level in a decade, measles is back – and as of the week ending February 11, doctors identified 1,343 suspected infections in England and Wales so far this year, including 350 in the last week. That includes two suspected cases so far in Cornwall.

It is easily the highest number of suspected measles cases seen in the first six weeks of a year in over a decade. During the same period of 2023, just 89 suspected cases had been spotted. By this time in 2022, there had been 63 infections.

Even 10 years ago, before the WHO declared the UK had beaten measles, there were less than a third as many cases during the first five weeks of 2014 (241) as GPs have seen this year. In Kent, Ashford has seen the most infections with four, followed by Tunbridge Wells and Medway with three each.

The measles outbreak this year has been mainly driven by rising cases in the West Midlands, particularly in Birmingham. Around three in 10 suspected cases so far this year have been identified in the West Midlands (29 per cent), a total of 394, including 163 in Birmingham alone. But the latest figures show there were more cases in the North West (91) than the West Midlands (68) during the week ending February 11. So far the South West has had fewer suspected cases than any other region (15).

Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist, said: “The ongoing measles outbreak in the West Midlands remains a concern. MMR vaccine coverage has been falling for the last decade with one out of 10 children starting school in England not protected and so there is a real risk that this outbreak could spread to other towns and cities.

“Measles is a nasty illness for most children and for some can be serious, but it is completely preventable. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your children. If you or your child are not up to date with your two doses of MMR vaccine please contact your GP to catch up now.”

In England, 92.5 per cent of children had received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine by the age of five in 2022-23, down from 93.4 per cent the previous year and below the national target of 95.5 per cent.