Highly infectious disease with initial runny nose symptom is spreading

Yahoo

14-07-2025

A "highly infectious" disease is sweeping through the region, with a runny nose often being one of the initial symptoms.
Schools have sent out warnings to parents and guardians, while Sefton Council has issued a reminder about available vaccination dates in parts of the borough throughout July.
Margaret Jones, Sefton Council's Director of Public Health, has contacted headteachers, parents, and carers across the Borough regarding the ongoing measles outbreak in Merseyside, according to a council spokesperson.
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The correspondence emphasises that measles is a severe illness that can affect both children and adults, and stresses that the MMR vaccine offers the best defence.
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Early signs of the disease include a runny or blocked nose, high temperature, coughing, sneezing, and red, sore, watery eyes. Typically, a rash surfaces a few days later, beginning on the face and behind the ears before spreading across the body.
The rash spots may be slightly raised and merge into blotchy patches, although they usually don't itch. On white skin, the rash appears brownish or reddish, but it might be less visible on darker skin tones, as per NHS advice, which also notes: "It's very unlikely to be measles if you've had both doses of the MMR vaccine or you've had measles before."
If you suspect that you or your child may have measles, if your child is under one year old and has been in contact with someone who has measles, or if you've been in close contact with someone who has measles and are pregnant or have a weakened immune system, it's crucial to contact 111 or request an urgent GP appointment.
Urgent medical advice should also be sought if you or your child have a high temperature that hasn't subsided after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen; if you or your child are experiencing difficulty breathing – feeling more short of breath than usual; if your baby or young child isn't feeding well, or taking fewer feeds or fluids than usual; if you or your child are urinating less than usual (or your baby has fewer wet nappies); if you or your child feel extremely unwell, or if you're concerned that something is seriously wrong.
Anyone diagnosed with measles should refrain from work, school or nursery for at least four days from when the rash first appears, and try to avoid close contact with babies and anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system.
Children and adults of any age can contact their GP to receive a free MMR vaccination.