MEASLES UPDATE

13th of February, 2024

Dear Councillors

As you may have seen in the news recently, the number of measles cases is increasing across the country. There has, for instance, been a significant measles outbreak in the Midlands, seeing high levels of hospitalisations.

Whilst at the time of writing there are no confirmed cases in our county, the Lancashire area is on high alert and preparedness plans are on standby.

As you may have seen, at 3pm on 13th February, the LGA will be running a webinar on Measles cases on the rise: information for officers and local councillors. We have also arranged a bite-size briefing at 3pm on 19th February, which will look at what is being done to prepare for new cases in Lancashire and how councillors can help within the communities they represent. I would encourage you to attend if possible.

Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus that can lead to severe complications and death. It is spread through coughing and sneezing, close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions.

Measles is one of the most highly communicable infectious diseases. Spending more than 15 minutes in direct contact with someone infected with measles is sufficient to transmit the virus.

Community-wide vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. All children should be vaccinated against measles. The vaccine is safe, effective and inexpensive.

Children should receive two doses of the vaccine to ensure they are immune.

A new national NHS measles catch up campaign is being launched to contact all parents and guardians of children aged from six to 11 years, encouraging them to make an appointment with their child’s GP practice for their missed MMR vaccine.

Having both doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations is the best way for a parent or guardian to protect their child, family and community from measles. MMR vaccination is given at 1 year of age and at 3 years, 4 months by a GP. This information is also available on the NHS website.

Here at Lancashire County Council, we are wholeheartedly supporting the NHS measles catch up campaign for missed MMR vaccines. It's absolutely vital to ensure that parents and guardians have the means to quickly protect themselves and their loved ones.

With this in mind, we are calling on all parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with their 2 MMR doses, and would request your assistance as councillors to reinforce this message within the communities you represent.

If a parent or guardian is unsure if their child has had both vaccinations, they should check their child’s Red Book or call the GP practice. Older children and adults who have not had 2 doses of MMR can also ask their GP surgery for a vaccination appointment.

The initial symptoms of measles are:

Symptoms similar to a cold with runny nose, cough and a slight fever
Eyes become red and sensitive to light

As the illness progresses, children may develop:

A high fever
A raised red rash that usually begins on the face and spreads downwards to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet
Small white spots inside the cheeks and lips

For some people, measles can be very serious if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs and the brain. Problems can include pneumonia, meningitis and seizures (fits).

Anyone who thinks they may have measles should:

Call your GP or NHS111 – do not attend your GP practice or any other healthcare setting (e.g. A&E) unless told to do so as measles spreads very easily.
Avoid close contact with babies, pregnant women and anyone with a weakened immune system. These people are at increased risk of severe disease from measles.
Stay off nursery, school or college for at least 4 days from when the rash appears.

For more information about measles, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/

Thank you for your support.

Yours faithfully

County Councillor Michael Green

Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing