The disease is extremely infectious
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is alerting the public about when medical help should be sought after 96 new cases of a Victorian-era illness have been confirmed in England.
The latest figures reveal nearly 100 laboratory-confirmed cases were documented over a span of less than five weeks (from January to 2 February). UKHSA said on X, formerly Twitter: “A blotchy, sometimes raised, rash is one of the signs of measles. It’s not usually itchy, and it can look different on different skin tones. If you think you or your child has measles, contact your GP practice urgently or call NHS 111.”
Measles is extremely infectious, with a single person capable of passing it on to 15 other unvaccinated individuals on average. Measles generally begins with symptoms resembling a common cold, developing into a rash after several days and occasionally tiny spots inside the mouth.
Initial symptoms include fever, nasal congestion or runny nose, coughing, sneezing, and red, sore, watery eyes. The rash usually starts on the face and behind the ears, before spreading throughout the body.
Spots can combine to create blotchy patches and aren’t normally itchy. On white skin, the rash looks brown or red, though it may be harder to spot on darker skin tones.
NHS guidance adds that if you’ve received both doses of the MMR vaccine or have had measles before, it’s extremely unlikely you’ll catch the disease. People are advised to ring 111 or arrange an urgent GP appointment if they suspect they or their child may have measles, if their child is under one year old and has been in contact with someone with measles, or if they’ve been near someone with measles and are pregnant or have a weakened immune system.
Urgent medical advice should also be sought if:
- you or your child have a high temperature that hasn’t reduced after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen
- you or your child are experiencing breathing difficulties – you may feel more breathless than usual
- your baby or young child isn’t feeding well, or is consuming fewer feeds or fluids than normal
- you or your child are urinating less frequently (or your baby has fewer wet nappies)
- you or your child feel extremely unwell, or you’re concerned something is seriously wrong
Anyone diagnosed with measles should refrain from attending work, school or nursery for at least four days from when the rash first appears, and should avoid close contact with babies and anyone who is pregnant or has a compromised immune system.