Measles in the United Kingdom

28 Jan 2014

A resurgence of measles notifications has been reported in South West Wales. The majority of cases are from the Swansea and Neath area, although cases have occurred in Carmarthenshire. At the end of December 2013, 44 cases had been reported in an outbreak linked to four schools in the Swansea and Neath area. Five measles notifications have been reported locally in the past 11 days. Those most affected by the new outbreak are aged between 10-18 years-of-age, although some adults have also been affected.

An immunisation campaign in Wales during the large measles outbreak in 2012/13 vaccinated more than 70 000 children. Around 30 000 children and adolescents in the 10-18 age group remain unproteced against measle in Wales.

Advice for Travellers

It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-15 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 6 months, while unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves may consider vaccination if thought to be at risk. Two doses of MMR vaccine are required to give adequate protection.