HEALTH experts are urging people in Tenbury to ensure they are fully vaccinated in a bid to prevent a repeat of the South Wales measles outbreak here.

Doctors across the county border, in Herefordshire, are bracing themselves for potential outbreaks of the condition after an increase in cases over the last two months, while Public Health England says occurrences of the highly-infectious disease are at their highest level for 18 years, with 2,016 confirmed occurrences in England in 2012.

Public Health England said there had only been one confirmed case of measles in Worcestershire this year and that the county is better protected than many, with an immunisation rate of 90.6 per cent, compared with the West Midlands average of 88.3 per cent and the national figure of 88.1 per cent.

But there are concerns that many teenagers may be unprotected due to concerns over an unproven link between the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and autism in the early 2000s.

Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, fever and sensitive eyes and after a few days a red-brown, spotty rash develops.

At best, the illness can leave people feeling unwell for several days, but in some people it can lead to serious complications and, on rare occasions, can be fatal.

Dr Mary Ramsey, head of immunisation at Public Health England, said: “Measles is often associated with being a disease of the past and as a result people may be unaware that it is dangerous and can lead to death in severe cases. “Parents should ensure their children are fully protected with two doses of the MMR vaccine.”

Dr Richard Harling, Worcestershire’s director of adult services and health, urged anyone who was unsure whether their children were fully protected to check with their GP as soon as possible.

“Measles is a highly infectious viral illness which can spread very quickly if people are not immunised,” he said. “We strongly advise parents and carers of unvaccinated children, which could include teenagers and young adults who may have missed the MMR vaccination, that it is never too late to get immunised against measles.

“It is equally important that people who are planning to get pregnant are vaccinated as measles can be passed on to your baby.”

Immunisation rates in Herefordshire are much lower, at just 80.8 per cent.

The county’s director of public health, Elizabeth Shassere, said this was a cause for concern and that local health professionals are bracing themselves for a potential outbreak.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of cases as a direct result of parents not getting their children immunised,” she said. “Measles is a highly infectious and potentially dangerous illness which spreads very easily particularly in schools. It is crucial that children and young adults are fully immunised.

“The good news is that it is highly preventable when children are immunised with the MMR vaccine, but parents need to make sure their children receive two doses of the vaccine in order to be fully protected.”

If you think you or your child has caught measles:

  • Avoid immediately attending your local GP Practice or Walk in Centre, instead telephone for advice and further information.
  • Anyone who is very unwell should attend A&E but on arrival must tell staff immediately that they may have been in contact with measles.
  • If you have measles do not go to school or work for five days from when the rash first appeared and inform your school or employer immediately.