UK public health officials have raised concerns about clusters of measles cases increasing around the country as the outbreak in the West Midlands appears to be stabilising.
The latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency show cases in the Birmingham area may be showing signs of easing but other spikes are being seen in London, the North West and Yorkshire.
In the past week, a further 60 laboratory confirmed cases of measles have been recorded in England.
It brings the total number since October to 581, the data shows. Yet while the outbreak in the West Midlands was the initial driver of cases, there are now worries about increased clusters in other regions.
Over the past four weeks there have been 169 laboratory confirmed measles cases, with the West Midlands accounting for 47%, mostly in Birmingham, UKHSA said.
But there have also been 23 cases in London, 23 in the North west, 18 in the East Midlands and 16 in Yorkshire and the Humber, the figures show.
To date cases have spread most rapidly in the West Midlands due to low vaccine MMR uptake rates with 381 cases in the region.
Around two thirds of all confirmed measles infections have been in children under the age of 10 with 27% in in young people and adults over the age of 15, the data shows.
The measles outbreak was declared a national incident in January as top health officials warned that the virus would spread ‘rapidly’ to other areas without ‘urgent action’.
GPs have been asked to deliver a catch-up MMR vaccination programme for children aged between 12 months and five years, and in response to recent outbreaks, NHS England launched a campaign this month for children aged six to 11 who still require the vaccine.
GPs were told to prepare for an increase in enquiries, and NHS England advised healthcare professionals, including GP practice staff, to wear PPE when dealing with suspected measles cases.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist, said: ‘As expected, due to worryingly low MMR vaccine uptake in some areas across the country, we are now starting to see clusters of cases in other regions.
‘We’re urging parents to protect their children from this serious illness with the MMR vaccine before it spreads further.’
She added that while parents were coming forward to take up the offer of the MMR vaccine for their children there are still hundreds of thousands of unvaccinated children at risk of serious illness or life-long complications.
‘The disease spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated, especially in schools and nurseries, however measles is completely preventable with vaccination.’
Dr Saliba urged parents to check their child’s Red Book now to check they were up to date with immunisations and contact their GP practice to catch up on any that have been missed, or if they were unsure.
