With 529 confirmed measles cases confirmed in the United Kingdom so far this year, and a declining vaccination uptake, these are the symptoms you need to look out for
People are being warned to stay vigilant after a child in the United Kingdom has died after contracting measles. The child, who has not been formerly identified, sadly died in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.
While no details have been released about their medical treatment, it is understood that they were ill with measles and it is believed they also had other health problems. It is not known whether the child who died had been vaccinated, but the jab provides 97 per cent protection against getting ill.
The number of children being treated at Alder Hey has public health officials worried that the virus could take hold and “spread like wildfire”.
It suggests Merseyside could be on the cusp of an outbreak, The Times reports. Liverpool has a low vaccine uptake, about 288 people in every 1,000 across the region are at risk.
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Measles is highly contagious and an infected person remains infectious for up to ten days.
The NHS describes measles as a highly infectious condition that can lead to severe complications for some individuals.
Typically, the initial symptoms include a runny or blocked nose, high temperature, cough, sneezing, and red, sore, watery eyes.
A rash typically appears a few days later, beginning on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.
The rash spots can sometimes be raised and merge to form blotchy patches, and they’re usually not itchy. The rash appears brown or red on white skin and may be more difficult to see on brown or black skin, according to NHS guidance.
It adds: “It’s very unlikely to be measles if you’ve had both doses of the MMR vaccine or you’ve had measles before.” If you suspect that you or your child may have measles, it’s crucial to contact 111 or request an urgent GP appointment.
This is particularly important if your child is under one year old and has been in contact with someone who has measles, or if you’ve been in close contact with a measles patient and are pregnant or have a weakened immune system.
Urgent medical advice should also be sought if you or your child have a high temperature that hasn’t dropped after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen; if you or your child are experiencing difficulty breathing – feeling more short of breath than usual; if your baby or young child isn’t feeding well, or taking fewer feeds or fluids than usual; if you or your child are urinating less than usual (or your baby has fewer wet nappies); or if you or your child feel very unwell, or you’re worried something is seriously wrong.
Anyone diagnosed with measles should stay home from work, school or nursery for at least four days from when the rash first appears, and try to avoid close contact with babies and anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system.
Children and adults of any age can contact their GP to receive a free MMR vaccination.
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