18 Jul 2018

Public Health England North West is working closely with Wirral Council and the local NHS following a small number of confirmed measles cases.

Letters have been sent to people who attended hospital settings at the same time as some of the cases to advise people with weakened immunity, pregnant women and children under one year to check with their GP if they are protected from measles, and what to do if they become unwell.

Janey Kenyon, acting consultant with the Cheshire & Merseyside Health Protection Team, said:

“Measles is a very infectious virus and spreads very easily.

“People who catch measles usually recover completely within a couple of weeks, however, measles can be a very serious illness that can leave permanent disability, and occasionally even kill.

‘Measles can have serious complications and usually starts with cold-like symptoms accompanied by fever and a rash.

“Two doses of the MMR vaccine are needed for full protection against measles, preferably by the age of 5 years. MMR is a highly effective and safe vaccine.

“Those who have not had two doses of the MMR vaccine should contact their doctor to request vaccination. If you think that your child may have measles, please contact your doctor by phone.”

PHE advises people with symptoms of measles to:

• Stay away from school, nursery or work until five days have elapsed after the onset of a rash.
• Telephone your GP or NHS walk-in centre before attending so that arrangements can be made for you to be treated in a separate area to prevent spread to other vulnerable patients.
• Avoid contact with people generally, but particularly babies, pregnant women and anyone who is known to have poor immunity to infection.

Further information is available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/