‘Fast spreading’ virus hits UK schools as warnings issued over Victorian-era disease

A ‘fast spreading’ measles outbreak has been confirmed in several schools across a London borough, with a number of children being hospitalised, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned

A “rapidly-spreading” measles outbreak has taken hold in a UK city. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) documented 34 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in Enfield, a north London borough, during January.

“There is a fast spreading measles outbreak in several schools across Enfield. Many children are being hospitalised,” Enfield’s NHS Ordnance Unity Centre For Health announced on its website. “Parents should ensure that their children are fully immunised.”

A neighbourhood GP surgery revealed that one in five youngsters who caught the disease required hospital admission, all of whom “had not been fully immunised”.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, described the “significant” outbreak as “mostly affecting unvaccinated children under 10 in schools and nurseries.”

She explained: “Measles is a nasty illness for any child, but for some it can lead to long term complications and tragically death, but is so easily preventable with two doses of the MMRV [measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox] vaccine.”

What is measles?

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can infect anyone who isn’t immune. The symptoms can be severe, leading to an increasing number of children being hospitalised.

In rare instances, the disease can prove fatal.

There’s no specific treatment for measles and it can strike at any age. It poses a particular threat to some of our most vulnerable youngsters, including those under one year old and those already grappling with serious illnesses like cancer.

The initial signs of measles typically include a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and a high temperature. It may also cause red, sore eyes. A few days later, the characteristic measles rash appears, starting on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.

How to prevent it?

The MMR vaccination is the safest and most effective defence against measles. This vaccine has been available for many years and its safety is well established.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide lifelong protection against measles, mumps, and rubella. The vaccination is free and can be easily obtained from your GP at any age.

For children, the first dose is usually administered at 12 months of age, followed by a second dose at around three years and four months.

Research has conclusively shown that there is no link between receiving the vaccine and developing autism spectrum disorders. Please protect yourself and our children and young people by ensuring you are vaccinated.

Anyone who suspects they or their child has measles should ring their GP surgery or NHS 111 first before showing up at a healthcare setting such as GP practice, urgent treatment centre or accident and emergency department, to help halt the spread of the virus.