Public health experts in County Durham and Darlington are urging parents to vaccinate their children against Measles after six confirmed cases and at least ten further suspected cases of the serious disease have been reported in local children in the last few days.

With the uptake rate for the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in County Durham and Darlington at only 91%, this means almost one in ten local children are at risk of contracting the disease.

Today, Dr Tricia Cresswell, executive director of public health for County Durham and Darlington, urged parents of un-immunised children to take steps to protect them. She said; “There have been six confirmed cases and at least ten further suspected cases of Measles in young children and teenagers in County Durham in the last few days. We urge any parent whose children are not vaccinated with MMR to make an appointment at their GP practice as soon as possible, no matter what their age now.”

Measles is caused by a very infectious virus. The virus is passed on through direct contact with someone who is infected, for example by kissing them, or through being in close proximity e.g. children sitting together in school.

The symptoms are a fever that lasts for a couple of days followed by a cough, runny nose and sticky red eyes. After a few days, small white spots may be seen and then, a few days later, a rash appears, starting on the face and upper neck, spreading down the upper body and then extending to the arms, hands, legs and feet. The patient will be feeling very unwell.

Unfortunately, Measles is most infectious before the rash is visible so people tend to spread the virus before they realise they have it. The incubation period for measles is seven to 18 days until the fever breaks, and nine to 21 days until rash appears. Cases are infectious from first day of fever to four days after the rash appears.

It is not possible to tell who will be seriously affected by Measles. Complications relating to Measles may affect one in six cases. These complications include diarrhoea, chest infections, ear infections, and even pneumonia. In extremely rare cases, Measles can develop serious complications, such as encephalitis, which can be fatal.

Children in the UK are offered vaccination against measles as part of the MMR vaccine, which is given to them between 12 and 15 months of age (with a booster dose before they start school). To be fully protected it is important that children over three and a half years of age have had two doses of MMR vaccine before they start school. Older children who have not had their MMR can still have it free of charge from their GP or school nurse.

The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, and can prevent illnesses that have real potential to cause serious harm.