This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22215185

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Swansea measles epidemic: Man's death investigated Swansea measles epidemic: Man who died had measles
(about 1 hour later)
A death is being investigated as part of the measles epidemic in Swansea. A man who died in Swansea had been suffering from measles at the time, say health officials trying to control an epidemic in the city.
Public Health Wales (PHW) is looking into the death of a 25-year-old man, named locally as Gareth Williams, at a flat in the city. A 25-year-old man, named locally as Gareth Williams, was found dead at a flat on Thursday.
South Wales Police said it is "sudden and unexplained" and PHW says the diagnosis of measles has not yet been confirmed. Public Health Wales (PHW) said tests confirmed only that he had measles at the time of his death.
Testing for measles is "forming part of the investigations being overseen by the coroner," said PHW. A post mortem examination has yet to take place to confirm cause of death.
"Whatever the cause of death in this case we should not be surprised if, as the outbreak grows, we start to see deaths in Wales," said Dr Marion Lyons, PHW's director of health protection. "Public Health Wales laboratory tests have today confirmed a diagnosis of measles in a 25-year-old male from Swansea who died on Thursday 18 April," said Dr Marion Lyons, PHW's director of health protection.
"Whatever the cause of death in this case we should not be surprised if, as the outbreak grows, we start to see deaths in Wales".
Mr Williams' body was discovered in a flat at Port Tennant Road, Swansea at about 08:15 BST on Thursday.Mr Williams' body was discovered in a flat at Port Tennant Road, Swansea at about 08:15 BST on Thursday.
His death is not being treated as suspicious. Earlier, police called the death "sudden and unexplained".
Dr Lyons said: "Public Health Wales is aware of a death being investigated by the Swansea coroner. A diagnosis of measles has not yet been confirmed.
"Testing the deceased for measles is forming part of the investigations being overseen by the coroner.
"My sympathies are with the family at such a tragic time."
'Disappointing''Disappointing'
There have been 808 cases of measles confirmed so far in the Swansea epidemic, which also includes the neighbouring Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend areas, and further into mid and west Wales.There have been 808 cases of measles confirmed so far in the Swansea epidemic, which also includes the neighbouring Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend areas, and further into mid and west Wales.
MMR jabs are being offered in schools from this week in parts of mid and south Wales although initial take-up was said to be "disappointing" by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg health board.MMR jabs are being offered in schools from this week in parts of mid and south Wales although initial take-up was said to be "disappointing" by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg health board.
There will also be drop-in sessions for the third Saturday in a row at Morriston and Singleton Hospitals in Swansea, the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot Hospital.There will also be drop-in sessions for the third Saturday in a row at Morriston and Singleton Hospitals in Swansea, the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot Hospital.
Last weekend around 2,500 people received the MMR vaccination at special clinics held across south Wales.Last weekend around 2,500 people received the MMR vaccination at special clinics held across south Wales.
PHW said although the outbreak was at present affecting the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Powys and Hywel Dda health board areas, there were cases of measles in every health board area in Wales.PHW said although the outbreak was at present affecting the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Powys and Hywel Dda health board areas, there were cases of measles in every health board area in Wales.
On Friday, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in north Wales urged parents to get their children vaccinated, reminding people of an outbreak in Porthmadog which resulted in more than 60 people contracting measles in 2012.On Friday, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in north Wales urged parents to get their children vaccinated, reminding people of an outbreak in Porthmadog which resulted in more than 60 people contracting measles in 2012.
Dr Lyons added: "Measles is a potentially fatal disease and around one in every 1,000 people who contracts measles in developed countries will die.Dr Lyons added: "Measles is a potentially fatal disease and around one in every 1,000 people who contracts measles in developed countries will die.
"We continue to work to end the current outbreak of measles, which is centred on the Swansea area, and which has now passed 800 cases."We continue to work to end the current outbreak of measles, which is centred on the Swansea area, and which has now passed 800 cases.
"Those not fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR are highly likely to catch measles, which is highly contagious."Those not fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR are highly likely to catch measles, which is highly contagious.
"We know that there are unprotected people in all age groups but we have particular concerns about the 10 to 18 age group."We know that there are unprotected people in all age groups but we have particular concerns about the 10 to 18 age group.
"We are therefore urging all parents of children who have missed doses of MMR to arrange vaccination for them as a matter of urgency.""We are therefore urging all parents of children who have missed doses of MMR to arrange vaccination for them as a matter of urgency."
Symptoms of measles include fever, cold-like symptoms, fatigue, conjunctivitis and a distinctive red-brown rash that appears a few days into the illness.Symptoms of measles include fever, cold-like symptoms, fatigue, conjunctivitis and a distinctive red-brown rash that appears a few days into the illness.