You may have heard about an increase in cases of Measles in the UK, with particular concern in London, Coventry and Birmingham.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has now declared a national incident in order to focus actions to limit the spread. Further outbreaks of measles will spread to other towns and cities unless urgent action is taken to increase Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination uptake in areas at greatest risk. Children who get measles can be very poorly and some will suffer life changing complications.
To support this incident the Department of Education (DfE) has published the following guidance: What to do if you think your child has measles and when to keep them off school
UKHSA have stated that measles is not currently circulating in the south-east, there are cases in London and a sustained outbreak in the West Midlands (specifically Coventry and Birmingham but now in all local authority areas in the region) but at the moment in the SE, rashes are more than likely to be for other reasons (particularly in children). However being prepared is important.
This link is for a simple leaflet that can be printed off. MEASLES – Don’t let your child catch it – Schools version (publishing.service.gov.uk). It says schools version but it is perfect for use in any situation.
More information can be found here Measles: information for schools and healthcare centres – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Including links to translated versions.
There is information on measles on the NHS website. This includes advice to parents and carers to check if their child has measles, including photos of the measles rash. The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on brown and black skin.
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, so anyone with symptoms is advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice, rather than visiting the surgery or A&E, to prevent the illness spreading further. There is information available from the NHS on the MMR vaccine
