Britons have been urged to recognise symptoms of the Measles virus as cases surge across Europe to its highest level since 1997.
The distressing warning comes just days after tragic reports that a child died after contracting measles at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.
Measles cases surged from 60,756 in 2023 to 148,974 last year in the European region (which includes Central Asian countries), the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned.
The 2024 figures mark the highest number of reported cases in the region since 1997, when 215,767 cases were recorded.
As these skyrocketing figures across the continent come to light, a top public health official has encouraged Britons to be aware of distressing symptoms.
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|Falling vaccination rates have been a cause of concern for public health officials
"It's a really nasty virus," director of public health for Liverpool city council professor Matthew Ashton warned.
He added that the highly contagious illness can cause you harm "no matter who you are", urging those who have not yet taken the necessary safety precautions to do so.
Meanwhile, councillor David Fothergill, who is chairman of the Local Government Association's community wellbeing board, declared that there was an "urgent need to address falling immunisation rates".
Vaccination rates have been plummeting over the past decade, with these gaps contributing to 529 confirmed measles cases in England so far this year, with 68 per cent of cases in children below 10.
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Since the start of June, measles has been "circulating" in the local area. At this time, 17 cases have been recorded at Alder Hey, which professor Matthew described as "a worry".
Commenting on his local patch, the professor lamented that Liverpool's rate was now below 74 per cent, while the WHO recommends around 95 per cent to achieve herd immunity.
"Nationally, it's a bit higher than that, but it's still far too low," he shared in conversation with Sky News.
"And the trouble is then, when you have unexposed populations or unprotected populations, the potential for measles going rogue is very high."
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|Eventually, a rash spreads across the entirety of the body, creating red, splotchy areas
He cited a number of reasons for the falling figures, including "fatigue" from the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the "disinformation" that came with it, although he insisted that it was more complex than that.
As family units become burdened with the tasks of day-to-day life, he explained that "routine health care appointments are just not top of the list of things to do".
Primary symptoms of measles
- A high temperature
- Sneezing, or a runny/blocked nose
- Coughing
- Red, sore, or watery eyes
As the disease grips its victim with flu-like symptoms, a rash soon follows after several days. First, raised, red spots remain on the face until they travel to behind the ears and finally, the rest of the body.
If you are concerned about your health or the well-being of a loved one, urgently contact your GP or an equivalent medical professional for a full assessment.
Due to the contagious nature of the illness, do not take yourself or your child to A&E or the GP surgery. Instead, call the doctor. Avoid contact with babies, pregnant women and those who are immunocompromised.