A child has tragically passed away at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool after contracting measles, marking the second fatality from an acute measles infection in Britain this decade.
The identity of the child has not been disclosed, but it is known that they succumbed to complications related to measles, and it is suspected they had additional health issues. The vaccination status of the child remains unclear, but parents have been reminded that the vaccine offers 97 per cent protection against the illness.
Public health officials are becoming increasingly concerned about the number of children being treated for measles at the hospital, fearing a potential outbreak that could "spread like wildfire" across Merseyside. Parents of the several children who are "seriously unwell" with the virus at the hospital have expressed feeling "scared" at the rapid spread.
Measles is extremely infectious, with individuals remaining contagious for up to ten days. Given the low vaccination rates in Liverpool, approximately 288 out of every 1,000 people in the area are thought to be vulnerable to the disease.
Professor Matt Ashton, Liverpool's director of public health, expressed grave concerns: "I'm extremely worried that the potential is there for measles to really grab hold in our community. My concern is the unprotected population and it spreading like wildfire. That's why we're trying to be proactive. It's really important that people understand the seriousness of this."
Bosses at NHS Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool have issued an urgent appeal to parents in an open letter after an alarming number of children fell 'seriously unwell' with measles. The hospital attributes the recent surge in measles cases among children and young people to a decline in MMR vaccinations, which safeguard against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Measles symptoms typically begin with those associated with the common cold, followed by a rash after several days. Some people may also develop small spots inside their mouth.
Initial symptoms include a runny or blocked nose, high temperature, coughing, sneezing, and sore, watery eyes. A rash usually appears a few days later, starting on the face and behind the ears before spreading throughout the body.
The rash is sometimes raised and can form blotchy patches, but it's not typically itchy. On white skin, the rash appears brown or red, but it may be more difficult to spot on brown or black skin, according to NHS guidance.
The guidance also states: "It's very unlikely to be measles if you've had both doses of the MMR vaccine or you've had measles before."
You should contact 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if you think you or your child may have measles, if your child is under one year old and has come into 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.
You should also seek urgent medical advice if you or your child have a high temperature that has not come down after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen; you or your child have difficulty breathing – you may feel more short of breath than usual; your baby or young child is not feeding well, or taking less feeds or fluids than usual; you or your child are peeing less than usual (or your baby has fewer wet nappies); you or your child feels very unwell, or you're worried something is seriously wrong.
Anyone with measles should stay off 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 are vaccinated after their first birthday and then again at 18 months. Anyone can request a jab if they missed out as a child.
Find out more about measles via the NHS website here.
