Measles epidemic tops 800 cases

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 18 April 2013 | 19.21

18 April 2013 Last updated at 08:18 ET

The number of cases in the Swansea measles epidemic has increased to 808, officials say.

Public Health Wales (PHW) said an extra 43 cases of the disease had been reported since Tuesday.

A targeted MMR vaccination campaign has started at five comprehensives in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot involving more than 2,000 pupils.

Vaccinations will also be given in all 13 high schools in Powys and other areas with a low take-up.

The outbreak includes 70 cases in Powys, most of them in the north of the county.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board has said more schools in the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot areas will offer MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccinations in the future.

Meanwhile there will be further drop-in sessions for the third Saturday in a row at Morriston and Singleton Hospitals in Swansea, the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot Hospital.

MMR vaccinations are also taking place in Cardiff at Cathays High School on Thursday, after pupils at Fitzalan Comprehensive received the jab on Tuesday.

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We continue to offer unprecedented opportunities for parents to vaccinate their children against measles, but parents need to make sure they take these opportunities"

End Quote Dr Marion Lyons Public Health Wales

Other health boards will also offer catch-up clinics targeting schools with low vaccine uptake.

Dr Marion Lyons, PHW director of health protection, said: "We continue to offer unprecedented opportunities for parents to vaccinate their children against measles, but parents need to make sure they take these opportunities.

"Although we want children of all ages who have missed vaccinations to catch up now, we are particularly concerned about those aged between 10 and 18.

"These are the children who would have missed vaccination because of concerns about the safety of MMR in the late 1990s. The vaccine is safe, effective and the only protection against a potentially fatal disease.

"We can't bring this outbreak to an end unless the parents of unvaccinated children either arrange vaccination with their GP, call in to one of the weekend drop-in sessions or ensure that if their child attends a school where vaccinations are being offered, they have signed a consent form for them to be vaccinated."

A total of 77 people have been admitted to hospital since the beginning of the outbreak.

Last weekend around 2,500 people received the MMR (mumps, measles and rubella) vaccination at special clinics held across south Wales.


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