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Measles outbreak: number of cases passes 1,000 in Swansea area Measles outbreak: number of cases passes 1,000 in Swansea area
(5 months later)
The number of measles cases in a region battling an epidemic has passed 1,000 as major efforts continue to vaccinate the unprotected.The number of measles cases in a region battling an epidemic has passed 1,000 as major efforts continue to vaccinate the unprotected.
Measles cases in the greater Swansea area, in south Wales, have reached 1,011 with the 10 to 18 age group hardest hit.Measles cases in the greater Swansea area, in south Wales, have reached 1,011 with the 10 to 18 age group hardest hit.
An urgent programme to vaccinate children, teenagers and young adults has led to a substantial drop in the numbers unprotected. The headline total announced on Tuesday is the number of measles cases recorded in the region since the outbreak began at the start of November 2012.An urgent programme to vaccinate children, teenagers and young adults has led to a substantial drop in the numbers unprotected. The headline total announced on Tuesday is the number of measles cases recorded in the region since the outbreak began at the start of November 2012.
Public Health Wales (PHW) held up the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) health board as an example of how to respond to the epidemic. But it also warned that with 50,000 people across Wales without measles protection, vaccination efforts needed to be widened.Public Health Wales (PHW) held up the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) health board as an example of how to respond to the epidemic. But it also warned that with 50,000 people across Wales without measles protection, vaccination efforts needed to be widened.
The ABM health board, which covers Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot, and Bridgend, has been carrying out a major vaccination programme for the past month. As a result, 4,000 10- to 18-year-olds have received the MMR jab, 40% of the 9,000 identified as being unprotected. The major vaccination programme continues in local schools and weekend drop-in clinics at a number of hospitals.The ABM health board, which covers Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot, and Bridgend, has been carrying out a major vaccination programme for the past month. As a result, 4,000 10- to 18-year-olds have received the MMR jab, 40% of the 9,000 identified as being unprotected. The major vaccination programme continues in local schools and weekend drop-in clinics at a number of hospitals.
PHW warned on Tuesday that similar efforts to those already seen around Swansea needed to be mirrored across the principality. The warning came as a death certificate was issued at a brief inquest in Swansea for Gareth Williams, 25, who had measles. The father of one died in his flat in Port Tennant, Swansea, on 18 April. It is still unknown whether he was the first victim of measles. The result of tests to establish the cause of his death are awaited after initial tests last week proved inconclusive.PHW warned on Tuesday that similar efforts to those already seen around Swansea needed to be mirrored across the principality. The warning came as a death certificate was issued at a brief inquest in Swansea for Gareth Williams, 25, who had measles. The father of one died in his flat in Port Tennant, Swansea, on 18 April. It is still unknown whether he was the first victim of measles. The result of tests to establish the cause of his death are awaited after initial tests last week proved inconclusive.
Philip Rogers, the coroner for Swansea, also issued a cremation certificate for Williams's family, who did not attend the inquest.Philip Rogers, the coroner for Swansea, also issued a cremation certificate for Williams's family, who did not attend the inquest.
The rise in the number of measles cases in the affected region adds a further 69 to the total since last Thursday. The total of 1,011 takes in cases in the Powys, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg and Hywel Dda health board areas. By comparison, the number of cases notified across the whole of Wales since November last year has been 1,142.The rise in the number of measles cases in the affected region adds a further 69 to the total since last Thursday. The total of 1,011 takes in cases in the Powys, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg and Hywel Dda health board areas. By comparison, the number of cases notified across the whole of Wales since November last year has been 1,142.
Dr Marion Lyons, PHW director of health protection, said: "The efforts to vaccinate susceptible children in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University health board area have been tremendous and we are delighted to see that around half of children needing vaccination have now received the MMR.Dr Marion Lyons, PHW director of health protection, said: "The efforts to vaccinate susceptible children in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University health board area have been tremendous and we are delighted to see that around half of children needing vaccination have now received the MMR.
"But with around 50,000 children in the 10 to 18 age group still not vaccinated, and more than 1,000 cases now reported to us, we cannot be complacent."But with around 50,000 children in the 10 to 18 age group still not vaccinated, and more than 1,000 cases now reported to us, we cannot be complacent.
"While not enough children are vaccinated, this outbreak can easily spread anywhere in Wales. Therefore we urge parents of children, and young people themselves, to take up opportunities to receive the MMR vaccine as a matter of urgency."While not enough children are vaccinated, this outbreak can easily spread anywhere in Wales. Therefore we urge parents of children, and young people themselves, to take up opportunities to receive the MMR vaccine as a matter of urgency.
"Vaccination sessions are continuing in schools throughout Wales and I urge pupils and their parents to take advantage of these.""Vaccination sessions are continuing in schools throughout Wales and I urge pupils and their parents to take advantage of these."
She added: "Those not vaccinated are highly likely to catch measles, which is highly contagious. It is just a matter of time before a child is left with serious and permanent complications such as eye disorders, deafness or brain damage, or dies."She added: "Those not vaccinated are highly likely to catch measles, which is highly contagious. It is just a matter of time before a child is left with serious and permanent complications such as eye disorders, deafness or brain damage, or dies."
The MMR vaccine is recommended by the World Health Organisation, UK Department of Health and Public Health Wales as the most effective and safe way to protect children against measles.The MMR vaccine is recommended by the World Health Organisation, UK Department of Health and Public Health Wales as the most effective and safe way to protect children against measles.
Unvaccinated children aged between six and 12 months living in or travelling to the outbreak areas of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot or North Powys can be offered vaccination by their GP.Unvaccinated children aged between six and 12 months living in or travelling to the outbreak areas of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot or North Powys can be offered vaccination by their GP.
There is no adverse effect to this extra jab and those children would still need to receive the recommended two doses at 12 months and three years and four months of age.There is no adverse effect to this extra jab and those children would still need to receive the recommended two doses at 12 months and three years and four months of age.
A total of 84 people have been treated in hospital since the beginning of the outbreak.A total of 84 people have been treated in hospital since the beginning of the outbreak.
To prevent the spread of the illness, Public Health Wales has issued the following advice:To prevent the spread of the illness, Public Health Wales has issued the following advice:
• If your child is unvaccinated make immediate arrangements with your GP for them to receive the MMR jab. This is even more important if your child has had contact with someone with measles.• If your child is unvaccinated make immediate arrangements with your GP for them to receive the MMR jab. This is even more important if your child has had contact with someone with measles.
• If your child is unwell and you suspect it is measles you should contact your GP. Your child should not attend school or nursery for four days after the rash starts.• If your child is unwell and you suspect it is measles you should contact your GP. Your child should not attend school or nursery for four days after the rash starts.
• Telephone your GP surgery to inform them you or your child has a rash illness before attending, so that arrangements can be made in advance for minimising contact with other vulnerable patients.• Telephone your GP surgery to inform them you or your child has a rash illness before attending, so that arrangements can be made in advance for minimising contact with other vulnerable patients.
• Avoid going to A&E unless you are seriously ill, and if you do attend, telephone ahead to let them know you or your child may have measles.• Avoid going to A&E unless you are seriously ill, and if you do attend, telephone ahead to let them know you or your child may have measles.
• Avoid contact with pregnant women, people with weak immune systems and babies who are too young to be vaccinated, as they are more vulnerable to infection and there are very few treatments available to help them if they do catch measles.• Avoid contact with pregnant women, people with weak immune systems and babies who are too young to be vaccinated, as they are more vulnerable to infection and there are very few treatments available to help them if they do catch measles.
• If any family members are pregnant, receiving chemotherapy, or under one year old, it is vital to ensure that all other family members are up to date with their MMR vaccination.• If any family members are pregnant, receiving chemotherapy, or under one year old, it is vital to ensure that all other family members are up to date with their MMR vaccination.
• Maternity wards, midwives and health visitors are being asked to share information with parents to encourage them to check the vaccination status of all children in the family to avoid further household spread among vulnerable groups.• Maternity wards, midwives and health visitors are being asked to share information with parents to encourage them to check the vaccination status of all children in the family to avoid further household spread among vulnerable groups.
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