Epidemic in Whales – Measles

Situation Update No. 6
On 09.06.2009 at 07:16 GMT+2

Cases of measles in Wales are continuing to rise on a daily basis and with the count today at 277 the medical authorities remain concerned for anyone who has not received two doses of the MMR vaccine. “The vaccine is safe, effective and the only protection against measles," said Dr Marion Lyons, Head of the Health Protection Teams for the NPHS. "The vaccine also provides protection against mumps, which is currently also on the increase in Wales." Two cases of measles have were reported today. There are 210 cases in Mid and West Wales, 56 in North Wales and 11 in South East Wales. No further patients have been hospitalised in Wales. The total number of patients hospitalised remains at 32. All 277 cases are being treated as measles regardless of whether they are laboratory-confirmed. The NPHS is also investigating 422 cases of mumps in Wales reported since 1 January this year. In 2008, 329 cases were reported in the whole of the year. Dr Lyons said, “Although most children will make a full recovery from measles or mumps, both diseases have potentially serious consequences. Children can be left permanently brain damaged or can even die of measles. Complications of mumps include meningitis and deafness. “People most at risk of catching measles are children of school age who have not had two doses of MMR or children between the ages of one and three who missed their first MMR dose at 13 months. “We estimate that there are around 45,000 school age children at risk of measles in Wales at present due to their MMR status. Children should have their immunisation record, including MMR status, checked at the beginning of primary and secondary school and on leaving secondary school.”

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