Urgent warning over deadly brain swelling disease in holiday hotspots – as health chiefs fear surge in the UK
HEALTH officials have sounded the alarm over a potential surge of measles cases in the UK, as the brain-swelling disease spreads across holiday hotspots.
Cases in Europe reached their highest level in almost three decades last year, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
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It warned people may bring back the contagious disease to England after travel abroad this summer, driving up cases at home.
A dip in childhood vaccinations - including the jab that protects against measles - in England leaves more children at risk of disease, UKHSA officials said.
They urged families to make sure their kids are up to date with their vaccines before going on holiday - taking special care they've received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab.
There were 127,350 cases of measles in Europe last year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
This was double the amount reported in 2023 and the highest number since 1997.
And UKHSA said that so far this year, outbreaks have been documented in France, Italy, Spain and Germany.
WHO also recently reported that Romania, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Nigeria currently have among the largest number of measles cases worldwide.
UKHSA said it was "concerned that more outbreaks may occur again on a larger scale this summer as families with unvaccinated children and adults travel to countries where there are outbreaks".
"Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and spreads rapidly among those who are unvaccinated," it stressed.
Measles usually causes cold and flu-like symptoms, with a rash appearing a few days later.
On rare occasions, measles can also lead to meningitis and brain swelling, which can cause long-term disabilities or even death.
At the same time, the health agency said measles cases in England remain high.
Since the start of the year, there have been 420 confirmed infections, 109 of these in April and 86 in May - though UKHSA said the figures for last month are likely to be an underestimate.
Unvaccinated children aged 10 or younger have made up the majority of cases - about 66 per cent - according to the health watchdog.
Almost half of all the cases from the past four weeks have been reported in London, but the Northwest and West Midlands have also reported outbreaks.
As uptake of jabs has declined in the last decade, UKHSA said "many thousands of children are left unprotected with the risk of outbreaks linked to nurseries and schools".
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Uptake rates have been particularly poor in London, with only 73 per cent of kids receiving both MMR jabs.
This is well bellow the 95 per cent coverage target WHO says is needed to keep measles outbreaks at bay.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, issued a warning to Brits for the summer: "It’s essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with 2 MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family.
"Measles cases are picking up again in England and outbreaks are happening in Europe and many countries with close links to the UK.
MEASLES is highly contagious and can cause serious problems in some people.
The infection usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later.
The first signs include:
- A high temperature
- A runny or blocked nose
- Sneezing
- A cough
- Red, sore, watery eyes
Small white spots may then appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips.
A rash tends to come next. This usually starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.
The spots are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They are not normally itchy.
The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on darker skin.
Complications are rare, but measles can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, seizures, and sometimes death.
Source: NHS
"Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences.
Dr Saliba added: "Nobody wants this for their child and it’s not something you want to experience when away on holiday."
She stressed that jabs won't only protect those who receive them.
"Babies under the age of one and some people who have weakened immune systems can’t have the vaccine and are at risk of more serious complications if they get measles.
"They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them.
"It is never too late to catch up, if you’re not sure if any of your family are up to date, check their Red Book or contact your GP practice. Don’t put it off and regret it later."
England experienced the biggest outbreak of measles since 2012 between autumn 2023 and the summer of 2024.
It particularly affected young children.
Since the peak last year, cases have declined but local outbreaks continue.
Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, said: "Tens of thousands of additional MMR vaccinations were delivered following NHS action last year to protect children against measles, mumps and rubella, and the recent increase in cases seen in England and Europe should act as an important reminder to ensure your child is protected.
"Too many babies and young children are still not protected against the diseases, which are contagious infections that spread very easily and can cause serious health problems."
The first MMR vaccine is offered to infants when they turn one year old and the second dose to pre-school children when they are around three years and four months old.
TO help deal with parental concerns, Professor Helen Bedford, a specialist in child public health at University College London, tells you all you need to know about the MMR vaccine.
When is the vaccine given?
The MMR vaccine is part of the NHS Routine Childhood Immunisation Programme.
It’s typically given via a single shot into the muscle of the thigh or the upper arm.
The first dose is offered to children at the age of one (babies younger than this may have some protection from antibodies passed on from their mother, which start to wear off at about 12 months.)
The second dose is then offered to children aged three years and four months before they start school.
To check to see if you or your child have had the recommended two doses of MMR, you can look at their/your Personal Child Health Record, also known as the red book.
If you can’t find the red book, call your GP and ask them for your vaccine records.
You are never too old to catch up with your MMR vaccine.
If you see from your vaccination records that you did not receive two doses as a child, you can book a vaccination appointment.
Is the vaccine safe?
The MMR vaccine is safe and effective at preventing measles, mumps and rubella.
In the UK, we started using the jab in 1988, so we have decades of experience using it.
The jab is made from much-weakened live versions of the three viruses.
This triggers the immune system to produce antibodies that are protective in the face of future exposure.
It takes up to three weeks after having the vaccine to be fully protected.
Like any vaccine, the MMR jab can cause side-effects, which are usually mild and go away very quickly.
This includes rash, high temperature, loss of appetite and a general feeling of being unwell for about two or three days.
There is also a very small chance children can have a severe allergic reaction.
But compared to the complications of measles, there is no contest that vaccination is by far the safest and most effective route to take.
Why was it linked with autism?
In 1998, Andrew Wakefield and his colleagues published a now-discredited paper in medical journal The Lancet.
The paper suggested that the MMR vaccine might be associated with autism and a form of bowel disease.
It led to a sharp decline in vaccination rates.
Even at the time, the research was considered poor.
The Lancet retracted the story in 2010 after Wakefield’s article was found “dishonest” by the General Medical Council.
He was later struck off and subsequently, in 2011, the British Medical Journal declared the story fraudulent.
Does it contain ingredients from pigs?
There are two types of MMR jabs: One with gelatin (animal/pig collagen), and one without it.
For some religious groups, the inclusion of pig products is not acceptable.
Those people should ask for the vaccine without gelatin.
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