editor@thestagsurrey.co.uk ARCHIVE

By Helen Finn

An outbreak of measles is making its way across Europe, stretching over France, Belgium, Germany and Romania; and now it is beginning to hit the UK. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory system.  It is spread through respiration (coughs and sneezes). It is so contagious that 90% of people without immunity will catch it when sharing a living space with someone affected.  The symptoms include fever, coughing and a rash. Many people would have been vaccinated against measles with the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. There has been an increase in the number of cases of measles. In 2001 there were only 70 cases, but in 2009 there were 1143 cases in England and Wales. In France there have been nearly 5000 cases reported between January and March, just for this year. The Health Protection Agency says this could be due to “either recent travel abroad or small clusters in mainly unvaccinated children and young adults between the ages of 10-24." They are advising that children receive the two doses of the MMR vaccine before travelling to mainland Europe. Measles can be eradicated – it was eliminated in the Americas in 2002 due to mandatory immunisation. This could easily be achieved in Europe as well. Measles can strike at any time and it is particularly dangerous for children and young adults, so if you haven’t had your vaccination or just aren’t sure if you have, get down to the health centre.