Suspected measles death investigated

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 19 April 2013 | 19.21

19 April 2013 Last updated at 07:20 ET

A death is being investigated as part of the measles epidemic in Swansea.

Public Health Wales (PHW) is looking into the death of a 25-year-old man, named locally as Gareth Williams, at a flat in the city.

South Wales Police said it is "sudden and unexplained" and PHW says the diagnosis of measles has not yet been confirmed.

Testing for measles is "forming part of the investigations being overseen by the coroner," said PHW.

"Whatever the cause of death in this case we should not be surprised if, as the outbreak grows, we start to see deaths in Wales," said Dr Marion Lyons, the PHW's director of health protection

Mr Williams' body was discovered in a flat at Port Tennant Road, Swansea at about 08:15 BST on Thursday.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

Continue reading the main story

"Start Quote

Whatever the cause of death in this case, we should not be surprised if, as the outbreak grows, we start to see deaths in Wales"

End Quote Dr Marion Lyons Public Health Wales

Dr Lyons said: "Public Health Wales is aware of a death being investigated by the Swansea coroner. A diagnosis of measles has not yet been confirmed.

"Testing the deceased for measles is forming part of the investigations being overseen by the coroner.

Continue reading the main story

Analysis

James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News


Between one in 1,000 and one in 3,000 people infected with measles will die.

Globally it is one of the leading causes of death in children.

Like many childhood diseases, it is worse when adults are infected as the risks of complications are higher.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine give near total protection against the disease.

But confidence in the vaccine dived after, now discredited, claims of a link with autism by Andrew Wakefield a decade ago.

Experts believe the MMR scare has left more than a million school children vulnerable to the infection.

Many people now have no recollection of measles epidemics in the UK. A link with measles has not been confirmed in this death, but it still acts as a warning of how rampant and deadly the disease can be.

"My sympathies are with the family at such a tragic time."

'Disappointing'

There have been 808 cases of measles confirmed so far in the Swansea epidemic, which also includes the neighbouring Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend areas, and further into mid and west Wales.

MMR jabs are being offered in schools from this week in parts of mid and south Wales although initial take-up was said to be "disappointing" by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg health board.

There will also be 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.

Last weekend around 2,500 people received the MMR vaccination at special clinics held across south Wales.

PHW said although the outbreak was at present affecting the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Powys and Hywel Dda health board areas, there were cases of measles in every health board area in Wales.

Dr Lyons added: "Measles is a potentially fatal disease and around one in every 1,000 people who contracts measles in developed countries will die.

"We continue to work to end the current outbreak of measles, which is centred on the Swansea area, and which has now passed 800 cases.

"Those not fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR are highly likely to catch measles, which is highly contagious.

"We know that there are unprotected people in all age groups but we have particular concerns about the 10 to 18 age group.

"We are therefore urging all parents of children who have missed doses of MMR to arrange vaccination for them as a matter of urgency."

Symptoms of measles include fever, cold-like symptoms, fatigue, conjunctivitis and a distinctive red-brown rash that appears a few days into the illness.

Measles cases in mid and west Wales

Health board/area Nov 2012 Dec Jan 2013 Feb March April* Total

Notifications 1 Niov 2012 to *12:00 BST 17 April 2013. Source: Public Health Wales

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg HB

15

37

39

66

238

251

646

Bridgend

0

1

1

1

12

15

30

Neath Port Talbot

5

9

4

6

43

85

152

Swansea

10

27

34

59

183

151

464

Hywel Dda HB

17

24

8

9

14

18

90

Powys HB

2

0

3

0

36

31

72

Total

34

61

50

75

288

300

808


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