Measles in the United Kingdom

01 Mar 2012

Two separate measles outbreaks have been reported in the UK.

In Wales, a total of 30 cases of measles have been recorded in an outbreak related to a school in Porthmadog in north Wales. The Health Boards are recommending that parents have their children immunised against measles as all 30 cases were either unimmunised or only partly immunised and the uptake of MMR vaccine in the area is relatively low.

In England, 25 cases of measles have been confirmed across Merseyside with many more suspected case under investigation. The Health Protection Agency reports that the outbreak is mainly in Liverpool, however 3 confirmed cases have been identified in St Helens with other cases in Sefton and Knowsley.

Advice for Travellers

It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-15 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 6 months, while unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves may consider vaccination if thought to be at risk. Two doses of MMR vaccine are required to give adequate protection.