Measles cases in Europe have reached a 25-year high, prompting warnings for families traveling abroad this summer. The UK Health Security Agency has urged holidaymakers to ensure they are up-to-date with their vaccinations, particularly MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) jabs.
According to the latest data, measles infections in England are continuing to rise, with 109 cases confirmed in April and 86 so far in May. Most of these cases have affected unvaccinated children under 10 years old. London has reported almost half of all cases in the past four weeks.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious health complications, including pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, and seizures. The World Health Organization reports 127,350 measles cases in Europe this year, double the previous year’s number.
Health experts stress that vaccination rates are still below the recommended 95% threshold in the UK, with London having the lowest regional rates at just over 73%. Anyone who has not had two MMR jabs can contact their GP surgery to book an appointment and get vaccinated. The UKHSA reminds that it’s never too late to catch up on vaccinations.
The rise in measles cases reflects a global trend, with outbreaks reported in several European countries popular with UK holidaymakers. Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, emphasizes the importance of checking family members’ vaccination records and getting vaccinated before traveling this summer.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c706y4jr95lo