Cases of measles in Gloucestershire skyrocket (From Gazette Series)

Cases of measles in Gloucestershire skyrocket

12:50pm Monday 25th February 2013 in News By Daniel Chipperfield

DOCTORS are urging people to check their vaccination history as cases of measles in Gloucestershire rise dramatically.

Following an increased number of outbreaks in the county, which has led to a number of children and adults being hospitalised, health professionals are asking parents and adults to check to see if they have had their jabs.

The advice follows a total of 62 confirmed cases in the county between October 2012 and January 2013.

It shows a significant rise compared to the previous two years for Gloucestershire as in 2011 less than five confirmed cases were reported for the whole year.

About one in every 15 children with measles will develop more serious complications, including ear and chest infections, fits, diarrhoea, encephalitis (infection of the brain), and brain damage.

Dr David Hunt of the South West Health Protection Unit said: "It is important to remember that measles isn’t a "harmless" childhood disease for some and this is why we have seen hospitalisations in Gloucestershire. Thankfully all have now fully recovered and have been discharged.

"However, these hospitalisations reinforce how important it is to make sure that you and your children are protected and that is why we are urging the community to make sure that children are fully immunised and have had both doses of the MMR vaccine."