News: Measles update for 17 July 2009

17 July 2009, National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS)

A daily update on the current outbreak of measles in Wales issued by the National Public Health Service.

Spread and extent of the outbreak (information as at 5pm on 16 July) 
County
Number of cases
Conwy
54
Flintshire
1
Denbighshire
2
Gwynedd
1
Anglesey
0
Wrexham
2
Bridgend
26
Carmarthenshire
85
Ceredigion
3
Pembrokeshire
40
Neath Port Talbot
36
Swansea
71
Powys
5
Rhondda Cynon Taff
5
Cardiff
1
Vale of Glamorgan
0
Merthyr Tydfil
1
Newport
3
Monmouthshire
2
Torfaen
7
Blaenau Gwent
7
Caerphilly
4
 
Public health advice and messages
  • Many people who catch measles will have a fever, cough, red eyes, and blocked nose and feel generally unwell. The blotchy rash appears a few days later beginning on the face and spreading downwards to the rest of the body over several days.  Typically, people will be infectious from the day before their first symptoms until four to five days after the appearance of the rash.
  • Parents who think their child has measles-like symptoms should keep them away from school and contact their GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47.
  • The only protection against measles is two doses of the MMR vaccine, which is safe and effective.  Children should receive the first dose of MMR at 13 months of age and the second dose at around three years and four months of age.
  • Parents whose children are overdue for their MMR vaccination should speak to their GP.
  • Children who are not old enough to be vaccinated do not need their vaccinations to be brought forward as a result of this outbreak.  However, anyone old enough to be vaccinated who has not received two doses of MMR is putting younger children at risk of measles.
  • Routine measles vaccination was introduced in the UK in 1968.  The MMR vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella was introduced in 1988.  One dose of the MMR vaccination provides 90 per cent protection against measles; two doses provides 99 per cent protection.  A small number of patients confirmed with measles in the current outbreak have received one dose of MMR while the others have received no vaccination at all.
  • The latest MMR uptake figures from the National Public Health Service for Wales show that for the first quarter of 2009 (January to March), 89.6 per cent of children reaching their second birthday had received one dose of the MMR vaccine and 83.4 per cent of children reaching their fifth birthday had received two doses of the MMR vaccine.  Herd immunity – the point at which measles is eradicated because so many people are vaccinated that it cannot spread – requires 95 per cent vaccine uptake.
Control Measures
  • The NPHS Health Protection Teams are working closely with local health professionals to reach unvaccinated children and provide them with vaccination.
  • The vaccination session at an Abergele comprehensive school organised by North Wales NHS Trust took place late last week.  81 children identified as needing to complete their course of MMR were vaccinated.
  • All nurseries, primary and secondary schools in the areas of Wales with the highest incidence of measles have now received a copy of the DVD “Immunisation – why our children must be protected” from the National Public Health Service for Wales.
  • All Welsh universities and Further Education colleges have received a copy of the patient information leaflet “MMR, Aged between 16 and 25?” with advice regarding the importance of sharing this information with their students and details on how to get further supplies.
  • The Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, has written to community leaders asking for their support in encouraging parents to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated.
Further information
Previous related news stories  



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