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MMR jab plea ahead of Urdd Eisteddfod in Cilwendeg, Pembrokeshire MMR jab plea ahead of Urdd Eisteddfod in Cilwendeg, Pembrokeshire
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of adults and children planning to attend the Urdd Eisteddfod next month are being urged to make sure they are vaccinated against measles.Thousands of adults and children planning to attend the Urdd Eisteddfod next month are being urged to make sure they are vaccinated against measles.
Public Health Wales (PHW) said if people are not immunised the festival in Pembrokeshire could result in the infection being spread throughout Wales. Public Health Wales (PHW) said if people are not immunised before going to the festival in Pembrokeshire the infection could spread throughout Wales.
Another 56 measles cases have been reported to PHW since Tuesday.Another 56 measles cases have been reported to PHW since Tuesday.
Latest figures for the epidemic in the Swansea area have risen to 942. The total figure for the epidemic in the Swansea area now stands at 942.
The size of the Urdd festival, and the fact it involves children travelling from across Wales, has led to the immunisation warning.The size of the Urdd festival, and the fact it involves children travelling from across Wales, has led to the immunisation warning.
With around 15,000 competitors and 100,000 visitors expected to converge for the youth festival, public health officials fear it could result in the infection being spread to other parts of Wales. With around 15,000 competitors and 100,000 visitors expected to converge for the youth event, public health officials fear it could result in the infection being spread to other parts of Wales.
"We know that measles is highly contagious - it spreads from person to person very easily," said Dr Rhianwen Stiff, of Public Health Wales (PHW) told BBC Radio Cymru's Post Cyntaf programme. "We know that measles is highly contagious - it spreads from person to person very easily," Dr Rhianwen Stiff, PHW speciality registrar in public health told BBC Radio Cymru.
"What we suggest is that everyone who is going to compete in the Urdd, or will be visiting, has secured with their GP before they go that they have had two MMR jabs," she added. "What we suggest is that everyone who is going to compete in the Urdd, or will be visiting, has checked with their GP before they go that they have had two MMR jabs," she added.
The 2013 Urdd Eisteddfod will be held in Cilwendeg, south of Cardigan from 27 May to 1 June. The 2013 Urdd Eisteddfod will be held in Cilwendeg, just south of Cardigan, from 27 May to 1 June.
Chief executive of the Urdd Efa Gruffudd Jones said organisers were in constant contact with PHW to discuss the best way of advising visitors. Urdd chief executive Efa Gruffudd Jones said organisers were in constant contact with PHW to discuss the best way of advising visitors.
The Urdd website also has a message from PHW warning people about the outbreak and urging everyone to check they are immunised. The event's website also has a message from PHW warning people about the outbreak and urging everyone to check they are immunised.
The Urdd Eisteddfod claims to be Europe's largest arts youth festival, with thousands of young people from across Wales visiting the event every year for singing, dancing, performance, art and poetry competitions in the Welsh language. The Urdd Eisteddfod claims to be Europe's largest arts youth festival, with thousands of young people from across Wales visiting the event every year for music, dance, performance, art and poetry competitions in the Welsh language.
On Tuesday First Minister Carwyn Jones urged parents to make sure their children have both doses of the MMR vaccine, as his children had. Dr Marion Lyons, PHW director of health protection, said the increase of cases on Thursday shows the outbreak is not easing up, especially in the 10 to 18 year old age group.
Mr Jones told assembly members the message was getting through about the importance of getting vaccinated. She added: "Young people have important examinations coming up and we need to make sure that those aged between 10 and 18 are vaccinated so their preparation for these examinations are not affected.
He said: "People should have their children immunised with both doses of MMR. My children were - I've got no problem in saying that." "Vaccination sessions are continuing in schools throughout Wales and I urge pupils and their parents to take advantage of these.
"We have seen that measles can be potentially fatal and no one should be complacent about the severity of measles. It can kill but can be prevented by a simple, safe vaccine."
A third week of MMR clinics at schools in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot will begin on Monday and drop-in vaccination sessions will again be held across the outbreak area this Saturday.
Tests are also taking place to establish whether the epidemic has claimed its first victim.Tests are also taking place to establish whether the epidemic has claimed its first victim.
Gareth Colfer-Williams, 25, found dead at his home in Swansea last Thursday, had measles but suffered other health problems including asthma. Gareth Colfer-Williams, 25, found dead at his home in Swansea a week ago, had measles but suffered other health problems including asthma.
On Monday, as health officials continue to try and increase immunity levels in school pupils, a measles vaccination team targeted 1,700 pupils at 10 schools in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.