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Current information on the ongoing measles outbreak in Merseyside, England has recently been published. From 1 January until 30 June 2012, 1339 suspected cases of measles were reported. Of these, 359 (27%) were laboratory-confirmed and 157 were classed as probable, 522 (39%) were discarded after laboratory results showed them to be PCR-negative.
The most affected age groups were children under five years and young adults from 15 years of age. Most cases have been sporadic. There have been few outbreaks in nurseries; however, no outbreaks have been reported in schools. Around a quarter of cases have, so far occurred in children too young to be vaccinated; of the cases eligible for vaccination, only 3% of the confirmed cases were fully immunised.
(Via Eurosurveillance - accessed 20/07/12)
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.
