Vaccinate your children, parents urged amid surge in measles
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) fears cases could rise rapidly once the new school term begins in September, with its latest data showing that there have been 145 cases since the last report on July 3. That brings the total since Jan 1 to 674 cases.
London and the North West are driving the increase, the agency said, with the majority of infections in children aged under 10.
Almost half (48 per cent) of the 674 cases for the year so far have been in London, with 16 per cent in the North West and 10 per cent in the east of England.
It comes amid a global rise in measles over the past year, and the UKHSA is concerned that travel during the summer holidays could lead to increased cases in England when the new school term begins.
Measles is highly infectious and can lead to serious complications. People with the infection have cold and flu-like symptoms, with a rash appearing a few days later.
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