Measles cases in Devon prompts calls to check children are protected with MMR vaccine
 |
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) and NHS Devon have appealed to parents in Devon to check their children’s vaccination history, following a number of recently reported measles cases from children who attend Sands School, Ashburton, Devon.
So far, several children have been kept away from the school with measles-like symptoms and one student has been laboratory confirmed with measles. This confirmed case is now fully recovered and back at school.
Information letters have been sent to all parents giving information about the symptoms of measles and advising that any children who have not had the full course of two MMR jabs should be immunised as soon as possible. GPs in the area have also been asked to offer immunisation to any children who have not had the full protection of two MMR jabs in the past.
Dr Geoffrey Thould, South West (South) Health Protection Unit said: "Measles is a very infectious virus, and can spread rapidly in close knit communities such as schools if people have not been immunised.
"While most people who catch measles will recover completely within a couple of weeks, it's important to remember measles can be a very serious illness that can leave permanent disability, and occasionally even kill.”
“Because we have recently seen this rise in cases, I’d appeal to any parents who have not yet had their children vaccinated to get them protected as soon as possible, I would like to reassure parents that MMR is a safe, effective vaccine.
“ Children should receive two doses of MMR vaccine for maximum protection, and MMR doesn't only protect them, it also limits the chances of the virus spreading more widely, for example to children who are too young to have the vaccine, people with weakened immune systems or pregnant women.”
Measles symptoms include:
-
Fever
-
Cough Red and painful eyes
-
Cold-like symptoms
-
Loss of appetite
-
Rash, which tends to follow 3-4 days after onset of the above symptoms.
MMR vaccine
This should be given to children in two doses – one when they are aged 13 months and one from three years and four months of age, although this second dose can be given earlier.
Anyone concerned about the signs or symptoms of measles should contact their GP or NHS Direct 0845 4647.
Almost everyone affected will feel generally unwell and people are infectious from just before the time that they become unwell to around 4 days after the onset of the rash. Those affected should stay off school or work until 5 days from the onset of the rash.
Complications from measles include a severe cough and breathing difficulties (croup), ear infections, viral and bacterial lung infections (pneumonia) and rarely encephalitis (infection of the brain).
Most are caused by secondary bacterial infections which can be treated with antibiotics. The more rare and most serious problems involve the nervous system. Inflammation of the brain (acute encephalitis) can occur 2-6 days after the rash has appeared. Less than 1 in 1000 measles cases is affected in this way, but 25% of those are left with brain damage. Much more rarely, measles can lead to a progressive brain infection, SSPE (subacute sclerosing pan-encephalomyelitis) which is fatal. It is, however, very rare occuring in less than 1 in 100000 cases of measles.
Measles infection during pregnancy can result in the loss or early birth of the baby.
Severe disease and complications are most likely in infants under 12 months, those with weakened immune systems, the malnourished and children with vitamin A deficiency.
Once the disease is present, there is no specific treatment for measles. Those affected should drink lots of clear fluid, and paracetamol may be used to reduce fever. Aspirin should not be given to children.
For further information about measles and MMR vaccine see http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/measles/menu.htm
