Measles outbreak in town
August 05, 2004

Doctors have urged parents to give their children the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine after a second outbreak of measles in the space of a week in the south Wales valleys.
Four probable measles cases, which doctors say appear to be linked, have been reported in the Merthyr Tydfil area.

All four children are said to be recovering.

But health officials said the take-up of the vaccine in the Merthyr area was well below the 95% "herd immunity" level necessary to protect the population as a whole.

Last week, five cases connected to a children's' party in Clydach, near Swansea, were confirmed, with a further unconnected case in nearby Gorseinon.

Uptake of MMR has fallen following recent unfounded scares, and we are seeing more cases

Dr Lika Nehaul

The Merthyr cases have been linked to a low take-up of the MMR vaccine, which is currently just over 80% - below the 95% target set for herd immunity by health officials.

Dr Lika Nehaul, from the National Public Health Service for Wales, said: "These cases - which appear to be linked - were in four children who had symptoms compatible with measles.

"Further tests are being carried out and all the children concerned are recovering well.

'Virtually eradicated'

"Measles is a potentially nasty illness which can, in the worst cases, cause death.

"It was virtually eradicated in Britain with the introduction in 1988 of the MMR vaccine.
Fewer children are receiving the MMR vaccine

"However, uptake of MMR has fallen following recent unfounded scares, and we are seeing more cases."

The MMR jab is given to children at age 12-15 months with and booster at four years of age. Both doses are required to ensure maximum immunity.

Take-up of the MMR vaccine fell after some scientists suggested in the late 1990s that MMR might be linked to autism and bowel disease.

However, no research has ever proved a link, and the majority of experts believe the vaccine is safe.

MMR coverage peaked at 92% in 1995 to 1996, but by 2001 to 2002, the figure had dropped to 84%.

According to the Health Protection Agency, there were no cases of measles in Wales in 1996 but by 2003, there were 44 confirmed cases in Wales out of a UK total of 442.

Measles is a infectious viral illness. The early stages include a fever with a rash appearing on the body after the third day.

Complications can include ear infections and pneumonia.

People are infectious from before the appearance of the rash until around four days after its appearance.