MORE cases of childhood measles have been reported in the county so far this year than the whole of last year.

While the rise is so far represented in single figures, public health officials say that with an estimated one in five children in the county not fully immunised there is the very real threat of an outbreak similar to that in South Wales.

This week, parents are being urged to make sure their children have received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination.

Nationally, there were 2,016 confirmed cases of measles in England and Wales reported to the Health Protection Agency in 2012 - the highest annual total since 1994.

Elizabeth Shassere, Director of Public Health with Herefordshire Council, said parents needed to make sure their children received two doses of the vaccine in order to be fully protected.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of cases as a direct result of parents not getting their children immunised, she said.

The council’s consultant in public health medicine, Dr Arif Mahmood, said the MMR vaccine was a “safe and effective” way to protect children against measles.

“We are urging parents of children who have either not been vaccinated or have only had one dose of the MMR to arrange vaccination with the GP as soon as possible. With measles now known to be circulating in the community, any child who has not received two doses of MMR vaccine is at risk,” he said.

Measles begins with fever that lasts for a couple of days followed by a cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis (red, sore eyes). The rash starts on the face and upper neck, spreads down the upper body and then extends to the arms, hands, legs and feet to fade after about four days.

What to do if you think you or your child has caught measles:

• Due to its infectious nature, avoid immediately attending your local GP Practice or Walk in Centre, instead telephone for advice and further information, or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

 

• 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.