Holidaymakers at risk of contracting deadly measles

Those travelling to Romania, Italy and Germany who have not had the jab at risk
Earlier this year, the WHO warned measles was spreading across Europe
Public Health England recorded outbreaks in three areas of England recently
Falling vaccination rates blamed on discredited fears over jab causing autism
Most people will recover from measles after around seven to 10 days
But it’s highly-infections and can cause complications for babies under one
Teens, adults, pregnant women and those with weakened immune system at risk

By Claudia Tanner and Alexandra Thompson For Mailonline and Pa

Published: 18:23 GMT, 30 November 2017 | Updated: 18:23 GMT, 30 November 2017

Holidaymakers planning Christmas getaways to some parts of Europe could be at risk of contracting potentially deadly measles.

People who have travelled recently, or plan to travel to Romania, Italy and Germany, and have not had two doses of the MMR vaccine, face a greater danger, Public Health England (PHE) warned last night.

It said anyone planning to travel to these countries should check travel health advice.

The comments come after the health body recorded outbreaks in three areas of England – there have been 16 confirmed cases in Leeds, 11 confirmed cases in Liverpool and nine confirmed cases in Birmingham.

Officials said all cases are among children and adults who have not received two doses of the MMR vaccine.

The MMR vaccine is combined inoculation which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Measles is highly infectious and can lead to serious complications. Although most measles sufferers make a full recovery, around one in 15 develop life-threatening complications, including pneumonia and convulsions.

PHE warned anyone travelling to Romania, Italy and Germany should have two doses of the MMR jab to protect themselves against the measles outbreak (stock photo)

MEASLES COMPLICATIONS

Most people will recover from measles after around seven to 10 days, but sometimes it can lead to serious complications, according to NHS Choices.

Children who are older than one year and otherwise healthy have the lowest risk of developing complications.

But babies under 12 months, children with a poor diet or with a weakened immune system as well as teenagers and adults are at risk. Pregnant women are at risk too.

Common complications include diarrhoea and vomiting, middle ear infection. eye infection, inflammation of the voice box, pneumonia, bronchitis, croup and fits caused by a fever.

Less common complications of measles include liver infection (hepatitis), squint in the eyes, meningitis and infection of the brain itself, encephalitis.

In rare cases, measles can lead to serious eye disorders such as optic neuritis and vision loss and heart and nervous system problems.

Another fatal complication is subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), which can occur several years after measles – this is very rare, occurring in only one in every 25,000 cases.

Source: NHS Choices

Unfounded fears over the jab

Earlier this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned measles was spreading across Europe in regions where vaccination is low.

Many parents are failing to have their children vaccinated due to complacency and discredited fears over the jab causing autism.

Disgraced gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield’s controversial theory in 1995 that it is linked to the developmental disability and bowel disease have since been widely discredited.

The MMR vaccine is a combined inoculation which protects against measles, mumps and rubella – the full course of MMR vaccination requires two doses.

To prevent outbreaks, it is recommended that 95 per cent of the population is immunised against the infection.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at PHE, said: ‘The measles outbreaks we are currently seeing in England are linked to ongoing large outbreaks in Europe.

‘This serves as an important reminder for parents to take up the offer of MMR vaccination for their children at one year of age and as a pre-school booster at three years and four months of age.’

She urged children and young adults who missed out on their MMR vaccine in the past or are unsure if they had two doses to contact their GP practice to catch up.

The UK recently achieved World Health Organisation ‘measles elimination status’.

But because of ongoing outbreaks in Europe, the UK will continue to see cases in those not vaccinated, PHE said.

AUTISM FEARS OVER MMR VACCINE BLAMED FOR DEADLY OUTBREAK IN LEEDS AND LIVERPOOL

Two mothers have shared photos online of their measles-stricken babies who were both repeatedly misdiagnosed as a warning to other parents.

One woman revealed doctors missed her nine-month-old son had the highly infectious viral illness even when the tell-tale rash had ‘spread like wild fire over his body’.

Both mothers urge families to be vigilant explaining their children’s symptoms started off similar to those of a common cold.

Charlotte shared her post on Facebook to warn parents about the measles outbreak

Charlotte Noble, 27, from Leeds, revealed her son Teddy was dismissed by doctors three times and said she only found out he had measles after he was no longer infectious – increasing the risk of exposure to others.

Another mother, Sian Cartwright, revealed her daughter’s symptoms started off with a runny nose, watery eyes and a bit of a cough.

She took seven-month-old Olivia to the doctors repeatedly and was mistakenly told she just had an ear infection, teething problems and then Scarlett fever.

Sian’s Facebook post – which includes a video – has been shared more than 29,900 times

But when the girl got worse she took her to A&E when she was told it was measles.

Sian, from Chester – some half an hour drive from Liverpool – says she is the third case she knows of in her city. However, Public Health England said there were no cases reporter in Chester.

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