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The measles outbreak in Swansea is not yet under control, with the number of cases standing at 886 – an increase of 78 cases in five days and 121 in a week.
Eighty people have required hospital treatment since the outbreak began in November and more than 10 000 individuals across Wales have been immunised against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) in the last seven days. Public Health Wales (PHW) says there is still an urgent need for more children to be vaccinated, particularly the worst affected age group, those between 10 and 18 years.
The outbreak has spread outwith Swansea with high numbers reported in the Neath Port Talbot area and north Powys. Health officials in Shropshire across the border in England are monitoring a rise in measles cases there.
All health boards in Wales are arranging vaccination sessions in schools as they try to vaccinate as many children and teenagers as possible before the summer holidays.
(Via The Guardian - accessed 24/04/13)
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.
