Latest news with #NathanAskew
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Measles symptoms and what action should parents and carers take?
Measles cases have been rising across Merseyside, prompting urgent warnings and appeals from healthcare professionals. A child died from the highly infectious disease this weekend at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.A drop in the uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination in recent years has been blamed for the recent increased number of cases, with the community now being urged to get themselves and their children vaccinated to prevent a major outbreak. Given how serious measles can be - especially for children - it is important to know what the symptoms are and what to do if you think you or your child might have the disease. What are the symptoms? The early signs of measles are similar to those of many common childhood illnesses. According to Alder Hey's chief nurse Nathan Askew, the first symptoms are usually a cough, a runny nose and, sometimes, red eyes. It then progresses with the appearance of a "really distinctive" rash which starts on the face or behind the ears and then spreads to the rest of the body. "Unfortunately, you're infectious for days before the rash presents, and so what can look like a normal childhood illness can actually be really contagious before it's diagnosed as measles," Mr Askew told BBC Radio Merseyside. Why is measles so serious? Measles can leave people seriously ill and even be fatal. Professor Louise Kenny, executive pro vice chancellor of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool, said she saw a child die of measles when she was a junior doctor in the early said the child contracted measles before their first birthday, which meant they had not yet been vaccinated, and died from "rare complications" related to the infection about 10 years later. This weekend's death is believed to have been the second child in England to have died in the past five years with June at Alder Hey alone, 17 children have been treated with the disease. What should I do if I think my child has measles? The NHS advises parents or carers who think their child could have measles to call their GP surgery or NHS 111 before turning up to a hospital, urgent care centre or GP practice. This is because the virus is very contagious, and it is important not to expose vulnerable people to it. In an open letter to parents and carers about the recent spike in cases, bosses at Alder Hey said measles was particularly dangerous to children under the age of one and those who have other serious illnesses including cancer. Why are measles cases rising? Mr Askew said serious cases of measles "basically all went away" early in his career, but had started to increase recently due to a fall in the number of children being have been 500 cases of measles so far this year in World Health Organization wants 95% of children to be fully vaccinated by their fifth the UK, Prof Kenny said 84% of children were vaccinated - far higher than the 73% in said there had been an increase in "vaccine hesitancy" during the Covid-19 pandemic. "I'm a parent myself, and every parent wants to do their best for their child," she said. "But the reality is that vaccinations, and particularly the MMR vaccine, is safe." How do I check my vaccination status? It is recommended that children get their first dose of the MMR vaccine when theyt are 12 months old, and their second at about three years and four months. If you are not sure if your child is up to date with their jabs, the best thing to do is to contact your GP. Prof Kenny explained it was "never too late" to get vaccinated. "If a child has had one vaccine but not the second, we encourage parents or teenagers or adults to get vaccinated," she said. The vaccine is free and available through your local GP surgery. Read more stories from Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X.
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Child dies at Alder Hey Children's hospital as measles cases surge
A child has died at Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital after contracting measles, the BBC has been a surge in children being taken to the hospital after becoming "seriously unwell" with the highly contagious Hey said it would not officially comment on individual cases to respect patient confidentiality but the death has been confirmed to the details have been released about whether the child was being treated for other health problems or their vaccination status. It is thought 17 children have been treated at Alder Hey for the virus since child is believed to be only the second in the UK in a decade to have died after contracting measles, after Renae Archer, of Salford, Greater Manchester, died aged 10 in 2023. An Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: "To respect patient confidentiality, we can't comment on individual cases."We are concerned about the increasing number of children and young people who are contracting measles. "Measles is a highly contagious viral illness which can cause children to be seriously unwell, requiring hospital treatment, and in rare cases, death.".The hospital warned parents earlier this week that a fall in MMR vaccine uptake was behind the spike in measles cases in the nurse Nathan Askew said he felt misunderstandings around the vaccine were to blame."This vaccine's been in use for well over 50 years. It's very safe, tried and tested," he at the site include those with compromised immunity due to other health issues "making them more susceptible to infections, including measles, an Alder Hey spokesperson said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Vaccine 'misunderstanding' behind Liverpool measles spike, medic says
A spike in measles cases among children on Merseyside has been caused by misunderstanding around the safety of vaccines, a hospital head nurse has said. Alder Hey Children's Hospital has seen a surge in children being taken to hospital after becoming "seriously unwell" with highly contagious virus. The rise has been blamed on a fall in the uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Chief nurse Nathan Askew said serious cases of the virus had "basically all went away" early in his career, but had now started to come back as "vaccine levels are dropping". The number of children in the north west of England to receive both doses of the MMR vaccine fell to 84.5% in 2023-24 from 87.1% in 2021-22, according to figures from the Askew said the virus had been "eradicated in the UK and now it is back as a really contagious and dangerous childhood illness". He said there was "a lot of misunderstanding" around the MMR vaccine, particularly after a study which falsely linked it to Why are cases rising and what is the MMR vaccine?Mr Askew said many studies have shown the claim "is not true" and there is no link. "This vaccine's been in use for well over 50 years. It's very safe, tried and tested," he said. Measles infections usually start with cold-like symptoms like a runny nose, followed by a blotchy rash on the body days are usually given the MMR jab before their first birthday, with the second administered after they turn of any age can be given the vaccine via the NHS for free. Liverpool mother Claire Kelly said she made sure her children were vaccinated, including her son .She said his vaccination against meningitis "probably helped save" his life when he contracted the infection. "They do need to get the kids should have it," she said. She said she was hoping to get the second dose of the MMR vaccine for her daughter as soon as possible. 'Really nasty' Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council Matt Ashton said measles was "incredibly easy to transmit" among unvaccinated people. "One infected person can infect up to 15 other people, so it can spread really rapidly," he said. Mr Ashton warned the "worrying" increase in cases could result in "large outbreaks" in the community. He said: "That becomes very difficult to manage, and also can have potentially serious consequences for people who catch measles."We all have responsibility here to look after our children and young people, and the reality is diseases like measles are really nasty and it's not something you'd want your loved ones to catch or be exposed to." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alder Hey hospital warning after measles spike
A Merseyside children's hospital has warned parents and carers about an increase in measles cases which has left several children "seriously unwell". Alder Hey Children's Hospital has reported the virus is on the rise in young people in the region and blamed the spike on a fall in uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Medical director Alfie Bass and chief nurse Nathan Askew said the symptoms can be severe and "are leading to increasing numbers of children being admitted to our hospital". They said in a letter posted on social media that the "vaccine has been available for many years and is proven to be safe" and urged parents to get their children vaccinated. Vaccine uptake in the UK has fallen over the last decade, leading to outbreaks of measles and whooping cough. A recent report found parent obstacles such as difficulty booking appointments and a lack of reminders on what jabs are needed and when had prevented some from vaccinating their children. The letter, which was co-signed by the public health directors of three Merseyside councils, said: "In rare cases, catching the disease can be fatal. "Measles is particularly dangerous for some of our most vulnerable children and young people, including those under one year of age and those already battling other serious illnesses like cancer." The letter urged parents and carers to get their children vaccinated, which is typically done when the child is aged 12 months, and then again at around three years and four months. The hospital said two doses of the MMR vaccine was enough for "lifelong protection against measles, mumps and rubella". Symptoms of measles usually start with a runny nose, sneezing, coughing and a high temperature, before the measles rash typically develops a few days later. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Measles holiday warning as cases rise in Europe Bristol sees a rise in measles cases Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Measles spike leads to Alder Hey Children's Hospital warning
A Merseyside children's hospital has warned parents and carers about an increase in measles cases which has left several children "seriously unwell". Alder Hey Children's Hospital has reported the virus is on the rise in young people in the region and blamed the spike on a fall in uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Medical director Alfie Bass and chief nurse Nathan Askew said the symptoms can be severe and "are leading to increasing numbers of children being admitted to our hospital".They said in a letter posted on social media that the "vaccine has been available for many years and is proven to be safe" and urged parents to get their children vaccinated. Vaccine uptake in the UK has fallen over the last decade, leading to outbreaks of measles and whooping cough.A recent report found parent obstacles such as difficulty booking appointments and a lack of reminders on what jabs are needed and when had prevented some from vaccinating their children. 'Lifelong protection' The letter, which was co-signed by the public health directors of three Merseyside councils, said: "In rare cases, catching the disease can be fatal."Measles is particularly dangerous for some of our most vulnerable children and young people, including those under one year of age and those already battling other serious illnesses like cancer."The letter urged parents and carers to get their children vaccinated, which is typically done when the child is aged 12 months, and then again at around three years and four months. The hospital said two doses of the MMR vaccine was enough for "lifelong protection against measles, mumps and rubella".Symptoms of measles usually start with a runny nose, sneezing, coughing and a high temperature, before the measles rash typically develops a few days later. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
