Urgent warning over deadly brain swelling disease in holiday hotspots – as health chiefs fear surge in the UK

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
HEALTH officials have sounded the alarm over a potential surge of measles cases in the UK, as the brain-swelling disease spreads across holiday hotspots.
Cases in Europe reached their highest level in almost three decades last year, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Outbreaks of measles have been documented in France, Italy, Spain and Germany this year
Credit: Getty
It warned people people bring back the contagious disease to England after travel abroad this summer, driving up cases at home.
A dip childhood vaccinations - including the jab that protects against measles - in England leaves more children at risk of disease, UKHSA officials said.
They urged families to make sure their kids are up to date with their vaccines before going on holiday - taking special care they'd received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab.
There were 127,350 cases of measles in Europe last year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
This was double the amount reported in 2023 and the highest number since 1997.
And UKHSA said that so far this year, outbreaks have been documented in France, Italy, Spain and Germany.
WHO also recently reported that Romania, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Nigeria currently have among the largest number of measles cases worldwide.
UKHSA said it was "concerned that more outbreaks may occur again on a larger scale this summer as families with unvaccinated children and adults travel to countries where there are outbreaks".
"Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and spreads rapidly among those who are unvaccinated," it stressed.
Measles usually causes cold and flu-like symptoms and a rash appears a few days after symptoms start.
On rare occasions, measles can also lead to meningitis and brain swelling, which can cause long-term disabilities or even death.
At the same time, the health agency said measles cases in England remain high.
Powerful new video urges all parents to protect their children from surge of deadly Victorian disease as millions 'at risk'
Since the start of the year, there have been 420 confirmed infections, 109 of these in April and 86 in May - though UKHSA said the figures for last month are likely to be an underestimate.
Unvaccinated children aged 10 or younger have made up the majority of cases - about 66 per cent - according to the health watchdog.
Almost half of all the cases from the past four weeks have been reported in London, but the Northwest and West Midlands have also reported outbreaks.
As uptake of jabs has declined in the last decade, UKHSA said "many thousands of children are left unprotected with the risk of outbreaks linked to nurseries and schools".
2
Uptake rates have been particularly poor in London, with only 73 per cent of kids receiving both MMR jabs.
This is well bellow the 95 per cent coverage target WHO says is needed to keep measles outbreaks at bay.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, issued a warning to Brits for the summer: "It's essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with 2 MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family.
"Measles cases are picking up again in England and outbreaks are happening in Europe and many countries with close links to the UK.
The main symptoms of measles
MEASLES is highly contagious and can cause serious problems in some people.
The infection usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later.
The first signs include: A high temperature
A runny or blocked nose
Sneezing
A cough
Red, sore, watery eyes
Small white spots may then appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips.
A rash tends to come next. This usually starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.
The spots are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They are not normally itchy.
The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on darker skin.
Complications are rare, but measles can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, seizures, and sometimes death.
Source: NHS
"Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences.
"Nobody wants this for their child and it's not something you want to experience when away on holiday."
She stressed that jabs won't only protect those who receive them.
"Babies under the age of one and some people who have weakened immune systems can't have the vaccine and are at risk of more serious complications if they get measles.
"They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them.
"It is never too late to catch up, if you're not sure if any of your family are up to date, check their Red Book or contact your GP practice. Don't put it off and regret it later."
England experienced the biggest outbreak of measles since 2012 between autumn 2023 and the summer of 2024.
It particularly affected young children.
Since the peak last year, cases have declined but local outbreaks continue.
Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, said: "Tens of thousands of additional MMR vaccinations were delivered following NHS action last year to protect children against measles, mumps and rubella, and the recent increase in cases seen in England and Europe should act as an important reminder to ensure your child is protected.
"Too many babies and young children are still not protected against the diseases, which are contagious infections that spread very easily and can cause serious health problems."
The first MMR vaccine is offered to infants when they turn one year old and the second dose to pre-school children when they are around three years and four months old.