Warning About Measles in Merton

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Parents urged to vaccinate their children after outbreak in Sutton and Merton

In the last fortnight there have been four confirmed and 19 suspected cases of measles in the neighbouring boroughs of Merton and Sutton. Several children have received hospital treatment.

One school in particular - Stanley Park High in Carshalton - has seen a cluster of nine cases and all parents have been contacted to make them aware of the situation. The school also held a special immunisation session.

Dr Barry Walsh, Director of the South West London Health Protection Unit said: "All parents in the area are advised to ensure that their children have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. MMR immunisation is the safest way that parents can protect their children against measles, mumps and rubella, which are diseases that can be serious for babies, young children and their families.

"Even if your child missed out on MMR vaccine when they were younger, they can still have both doses now to ensure they are fully protected".

If your child is not up to date with their jabs call your GP today or look at the NHS's immunisation website at http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/

What is Measles? 1. Measles is a very infectious viral illness that used to affect up to 800,000 people per year.  Since the introduction of measles vaccine, and especially since the introduction of MMR vaccine, numbers of cases have been reduced to very low levels. 2. Measles is an acute, highly infectious viral illness and usually starts with fever, sore eyes, a runny nose, a cough and sometimes white spots in the mouth. It is usual to feel unwell with the above symptoms for five to seven days before a characteristic rash appears. 3. People are infectious from four days before to around four days after the onset of the rash. Those affected should stay off school or work for five days from the onset of the rash.

 

May 25, 2010