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Measles in Wales: Warning of epidemic spread Measles in Wales: Warning of epidemic spread
(about 2 hours later)
Fears have been raised that the measles epidemic could spread from Swansea as a health expert warned that no part of the UK is safe from the disease. Fears have been raised that the measles epidemic could spread from Swansea amid concerns that over 40,000 children are still unvaccinated in Wales.
The number of cases in the outbreak has risen to 693, but Public Health Wales (PHW) believes that 40,000 children remain unvaccinated across Wales. The number of cases in the outbreak has risen to 693 and more hospitals are offering free MMR jabs in south Wales in a bid to tackle the problem.
More hospitals are offering free MMR vaccinations across south Wales in a bid to tackle the epidemic. Dr Meirion Evans of Public Health Wales (PHW) said that numbers could "easily double" as thousands of children have still not had two MMR vaccines.
One doctor said it was likely to spread to Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. He added no part of the UK was safe.
Dr Evans said that the epidemic centred around Swansea is a result of a 10 to 15 year "legacy" of concern about the MMR (measles mumps rubella) jab.
It followed a now discredited report by Dr Andrew Wakefield in the late 1990s which linked the vaccine with autism.
Dr Evans, a consultant epidemiologist, told BBC Radio Wales that as a result, there are many parts of the UK which do not have vaccination rates high enough to stop the spread of measles.
"Across Wales as a whole there are many, many children who have not had their MMR - we estimate over 40,000 children across Wales - so there is a real possibility that it could seed from Swansea to other parts of Wales and potentially take a grip there," he said.
"Nowhere in Wales is safe from measles and I think that is true of the UK as a whole."
He warned that the outbreak could last until the summer holidays as the disease can spread rapidly in schools.
'Significant spread'
Meanwhile, drop-in clinics will be held later for the first time in Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, Newport and Ystrad Mynach near Caerphilly as a precaution.
Dr Tom Porter, a consultant with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said that while there was not yet an outbreak in the area, doctors were seeing cases being imported from elsewhere in Wales.Dr Tom Porter, a consultant with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said that while there was not yet an outbreak in the area, doctors were seeing cases being imported from elsewhere in Wales.
"It's probably a matter of sooner or later seeing significant spread within Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan," he added."It's probably a matter of sooner or later seeing significant spread within Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan," he added.
"We know at the moment not enough people are protected from measles which means probably we will get an outbreak and we want to make sure enough people are protected.""We know at the moment not enough people are protected from measles which means probably we will get an outbreak and we want to make sure enough people are protected."
He added that an estimated 13,000 children under 19 have not had both recommended MMR jabs in the health board area.He added that an estimated 13,000 children under 19 have not had both recommended MMR jabs in the health board area.
Meanwhile Dr Meirion Evans of Public Health Wales said that the outbreak could last until the school summer holidays and that numbers could "easily double".
He said that the epidemic, which is centred around Swansea, is a result of a 10 to 15 year "legacy" of concern about the MMR (measles mumps rubella) jab.
It followed a since discredited report by Dr Andrew Wakefield in the late 1990s which linked the vaccine with autism.
Dr Evans, a consultant epidemiologist, said that as a result, there are many parts of the UK which do not have vaccination rates high enough to stop the spread of measles.
"Nowhere in Wales is safe from measles and I think that is true of the UK as a whole, " he added.
Drop-in clinics will be held later for the first time in Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, Newport and Ystrad Mynach near Caerphilly as a precaution.
More than 1,700 were vaccinated at hospital drop-in clinics in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend last Saturday, with another 900 vaccinated in the Swansea area last week.More than 1,700 were vaccinated at hospital drop-in clinics in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend last Saturday, with another 900 vaccinated in the Swansea area last week.
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg health board will hold more sessions from 10:00-16:00 BST on Saturday at Swansea's Morriston and Singleton hospitals along with Neath Port Talbot Hospital and the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend.Abertawe Bro Morgannwg health board will hold more sessions from 10:00-16:00 BST on Saturday at Swansea's Morriston and Singleton hospitals along with Neath Port Talbot Hospital and the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend.
Some GP surgeries are also laying on special vaccination sessions during the week, while children will be given the jab at schools in the area when they return next week after the Easter break. Some GP surgeries are also laying on special vaccination sessions next week, while children will be given the jab at schools in the area as they return to lessons on Monday after the Easter break.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is holding sessions at Cardiff Royal Infirmary and at University Hospital Llandough, also from 10:00-16:00 BST.Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is holding sessions at Cardiff Royal Infirmary and at University Hospital Llandough, also from 10:00-16:00 BST.
Aneurin Bevan Health Board is running sessions from 11:00-15:00 BST at Bellevue Surgery in Newport and Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr in Ystrad Mynach.Aneurin Bevan Health Board is running sessions from 11:00-15:00 BST at Bellevue Surgery in Newport and Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr in Ystrad Mynach.
No appointments are needed for any of the clinics which are for children and teenagers who have not had two MMR jabs.No appointments are needed for any of the clinics which are for children and teenagers who have not had two MMR jabs.
Cwm Taf Health Board in the south Wales valleys is not holding drop-in sessions but is advising people to contact their GP for a vaccination.Cwm Taf Health Board in the south Wales valleys is not holding drop-in sessions but is advising people to contact their GP for a vaccination.
PHW has warned that despite previous immunisations the outbreak, which began in November, has not been brought under control.PHW has warned that despite previous immunisations the outbreak, which began in November, has not been brought under control.
Although the epidemic is based in Swansea, cases continue to be reported across Wales. Officials have raised concerns about the number of cases in Powys.Although the epidemic is based in Swansea, cases continue to be reported across Wales. Officials have raised concerns about the number of cases in Powys.
Measles is caused by a virus spread in droplets and is easy to catch by those who have not been vaccinated.Measles is caused by a virus spread in droplets and is easy to catch by those who have not been vaccinated.
Typical symptoms of measles include fever, cough, conjunctivitis and a rash. Complications are quite common even in healthy people, and about 20% of reported measles cases experience one or more complication.Typical symptoms of measles include fever, cough, conjunctivitis and a rash. Complications are quite common even in healthy people, and about 20% of reported measles cases experience one or more complication.
The death rate is around one in every 1,000 infected in developed countries.The death rate is around one in every 1,000 infected in developed countries.