Measles: Liverpool health official urges public to be aware of symptoms after child dies
Speaking on , director of public health for Liverpool City Council, Professor Matthew Ashton, said he wanted to raise awareness of the virus.
It comes after a child died at the city's Alder Hey Children's Hospital after becoming ill with and other health problems.
Mr Ashton said that measles was "circulating" in the community, with 17 cases recorded at Alder Hey since the start of June - which he said "is a worry for us".
"It's a really nasty virus," he added. "No matter who you are, if you're not protected, it can do you harm."
Earlier on Monday, chairman of the Local Government Association's community wellbeing board, councillor David Fothergill, said there was "an urgent need to address falling immunisation rates".
"These gaps have contributed to 529 confirmed measles cases in England so far in 2025," he said, "with 68% occurring in children under the age of 10."
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Ashton said: "Vaccination rates have been declining nationally for the last decade... In Liverpool, we're down below 74%.
"Nationally, it's a bit higher than that, but it's still far too low. And the trouble is then, when you have unexposed populations or unprotected populations, the potential for measles going rogue is very high."
Mr Ashton said vaccination rates have been declining nationally for the last decade and that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends 95% vaccination levels to reach herd immunity.
Read more:
Mr Ashton noted "there's lots of reasons why vaccination rates have dropped," citing "fatigue" from the COVID pandemic and "disinformation," but added: "I do think it's more complicated than that.
"I think we have to recognise that life for our communities has got significantly harder over the last ten years, and people are working really hard to make sure they can still pay the bills, put food on the table, look after loved ones.
"Sometimes routine health care appointments are just not top of the list of things to do."
The public health director said that while "people assume it's an old disease or it's one that's gone away... it couldn't be further from the case".
He noted that one case of measles can infect up to 15 people, and urged people that if they think they have symptoms, call their GP or 111 - and do not go to A&E.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Measles cases in US over 4.5 times higher than all of last year
Measles cases in the United States are continuing to rise after breaking a decades-long record just two weeks ago. There are now 1,319 confirmed measles cases across 39 states, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated Wednesday. This is the highest nationwide measles figure seen since 1992. National cases are more than 4.5 times higher than the entirety of last year, which had an estimated 285 cases reported. MORE: Amid growing Texas outbreak, how contagious is measles? So far, two children and one adult have died from the virus this year, the first deaths from measles in a decade. About one to three of every 1,000 children infected with measles die from respiratory and neurologic complications, according to the CDC. An overwhelming majority of this year's cases -- 92% -- are among those who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, CDC data shows. Measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000 due to a highly effective vaccination program, according to the CDC Childhood vaccination rates to protect against measles have been declining in recent years, CDC data shows. The rate of kindergarteners receiving state-required vaccinations dropped from 95% in the 2019-2020 school year to less than 93% in the 2023-2024 school year, according to CDC data. A 95% threshold is the ideal level to protect for herd immunity, public health experts note. This leaves about 280,000 U.S. kindergarteners, or 7.3%, without protection from the virus. MORE: Amid growing Texas outbreak, how contagious is measles? A measles vaccine became available in 1963. Prior to that, nearly all children got measles by the time they were 15 years old. It led to an estimated 500 deaths and 48,000 hospitalizations each year before the shot was widely available, according to the CDC. Children in the U.S. are recommended to receive the two-dose measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years old. One dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective, the CDC says. A booster shot is not typically recommended for adults who already have immunity from the virus through vaccination or prior infection. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pelvic floor training can help active women avoid exercise-related symptoms
Are you a woman who exercises regularly? If so, here's a vital question: do you train your pelvic floor muscles as part of your routine? If the answer is no, now's the time to start. It's never too late to protect yourself from pelvic floor dysfunction – and the benefits go far beyond avoiding leaks. The pelvic floor is a complex hammock of muscles and ligaments stretching from the front of your pelvis to your tailbone. It weaves around the urethra, vagina and anus, supporting the pelvic organs and helping them stay in the right place. These muscles are essential for bladder and bowel control, sexual function and core stability. In fact, your pelvic floor works alongside the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and back muscles in what's known as the 'core canister' or 'core rectangle.' Together, they help stabilise the spine, protect internal organs, and support movement, especially in high-impact or strength-based activities. How does sport affect pelvic floor health? Many sports rely heavily on core strength. Running, jumping, lifting and full-contact sports like rugby all demand stability, control and muscular endurance. But they also place significant strain on the pelvic floor. That's why pelvic floor dysfunction is surprisingly common among sportswomen. Around one in two women in the UK will experience pelvic floor symptoms at some point in their lives – but rates are even higher among female athletes. A 2024 study of female rugby players found that 63% experienced pelvic floor dysfunction serious enough to affect both their performance and daily life, often requiring physiotherapy or specialist support. Movements such as jumping, running, landing and breath-holding during exertion all increase intra-abdominal pressure, which pushes down on the pelvic floor. Without proper conditioning, these muscles can become strained or fatigued, especially if they're weaker than the surrounding core muscles. Endurance sports can also take their toll, causing the pelvic floor to repeatedly contract under pressure. Like any muscle, the pelvic floor is susceptible to overuse injuries and needs time to recover. Pelvic floor dysfunction can show up in several ways, including leaking urine or faeces during exercise, coughing or sneezing; disrupted bowel habits; a heavy or dragging feeling in the lower abdomen or vagina; pain during sex; a bulging sensation or visible tissue in the vaginal area; and pelvic organ prolapse. These symptoms may appear during exercise – or at rest – and often worsen over time without the right support or training. Exercise can help with pelvic floor dysfunction – only if the pelvic floor is actively and effectively engaged. Many workouts target the abs or general core, but if the pelvic floor isn't included with the same intensity, muscular imbalances can develop. Combined with gravity and high-impact movement, this puts the pelvic floor at greater risk of dysfunction. The good news? The pelvic floor responds well to training. With regular, focused practice, these muscles become stronger, more coordinated and more resilient – helping to prevent dysfunction and even aiding recovery after childbirth. How to train your pelvic floor Not sure where to start? Here's a simple exercise: Imagine you're holding in wind – gently contract your anus. Next, squeeze your urethra as if stopping a flow of urine. Now, lift upwards through the vagina. Hold the contraction for a few seconds (or as long as you comfortably can), then release. That's one pelvic floor contraction: well done! Try doing a few reps at a time, and gradually build up. You can incorporate these into your run, add them to your core workout, or practise them during rest days or cool-downs. The goal is to make pelvic floor training a regular part of your routine. Your pelvic floor deserves just as much attention as your abs, glutes or quads. If you're a woman who exercises, training these deep core muscles can boost your performance, reduce your risk of injury and support your overall health now and in the future. So next time you lace up your trainers or hit the gym, don't forget your pelvic floor. Your body will thank you. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Holly Ingram does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Study Says That 'Micro-Walks' May Be More Effective Than Longer Ones—Even For Weight Loss
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." For years, doctors have stressed the importance of being active during your day—after all, research has found that sitting for too long raises your risk of a slew of serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. But the idea of going for hour-long walks can be overwhelming. Now, new research suggests you don't need to jam in a massive stroll into each day: Instead, you can go for 'micro-walks.' That's the main takeaway from a study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, which found that micro-walks may be even better for you than long ones. Here's the deal. Interested in making walks part of your regular fitness routine? Check out the exclusive WH+ 4-Week Walking Plan that burns fat and builds muscle at the same time. What are 'micro-walks'? In this study, a 'micro-walk' is defined as walking between 10 and 30 seconds at a time (with breaks in between your next walk). Are 'micro-walks' more beneficial for your health? Why? It depends on how you're looking at it. In this particular study, volunteers walked on a treadmill or climbed a short flight of stairs for different periods of time, ranging from 10 seconds to four minutes. The study participants wore masks to measure their oxygen intake (which can be used to calculate energy or calorie consumption). The researchers discovered that people who walked in short bursts used up to 60 per cent more energy than longer ones, despite the walks covering the same distance. (The more energy you expend, the more calories you can burn.) Basically, you may be able to rev up your metabolism and burn more calories if you do short bursts of walking versus longer cruises around. Albert Matheny, RD, CSCS, a co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab, says there's something to this. 'Getting activity throughout the day, in general, is better for people,' he says. 'It's better for circulation, mental health, and digestive health.' You're also more likely to have a faster pace when you do shorter bursts of walking than if you're going on, say, a five-mile walk, he points out. How many steps should I get per day? This is debatable, and research has shown that the often-quoted 10,000 steps a day may not be necessary. Instead, 7,500 steps or so is ideal—but everyone is different. If you've already been walking, Matheny says that aiming for 10,000 steps a day is great. But if not or if you don't have many opportunities to walk during your day, 7,500 steps may be a better goal. 'It's really about doing what you can,' he says. 'If you're not a big walker and you think, 'I don't want to walk five miles,' then just do 30-second bursts. It's more attainable.'DMX Comfort+ Sneaker $108.49 at 26 $109.95 at 2 $240.00 at You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
