'Highly infectious' disease warning as Government issues urgent advice
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning over a "highly infectious" disease
The government health body took to X on Wednesday morning (Janaury 29) to warn that one infected person can potentially spread it to 15 unvaccinated individuals. The post read: "Measles is highly infectious.
"1 person can infect 15 other unvaccinated people on average. Being vaccinated helps protect you, and others who can't be vaccinated such as young and unborn babies."
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Further details provided in the post explained that it can cause severe complications in some cases and that the MMR vaccine is the best preventative measure. Measles typically begins with symptoms similar to a common cold, followed by a rash a few days later and sometimes small spots inside the mouth.
Initial symptoms include a high temperature, a runny or blocked nose, a cough, sneezing, and red, sore, watery eyes. The rash usually appears a few days later, starting on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.
The rash spots can sometimes be raised and merge together to form blotchy patches, but they are not usually itchy. The rash appears brown or red on white skin and may be harder to see on brown or black skin, according to NHS guidance.
The NHS adds: "It's very unlikely to be measles if you've had both doses of the MMR vaccine or you've had measles before."
If you suspect that you or your child may have contracted measles, if your child is under one year old and has been exposed to someone with measles, or if you've been in close contact with a person who has measles and you are pregnant or have a compromised immune system, it's advised to contact 111 or request an urgent GP appointment.
You should also seek urgent medical advice if:
you or your child have a high temperature that has not come down after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen
you or your child have difficulty breathing – you may feel more short of breath than usual
your baby or young child is not feeding well, or taking less feeds or fluids than usual
you or your child are peeing less than usual (or your baby has fewer wet nappies)
you or your child feels very unwell, or you're worried something is seriously wrong
Anyone with measles should stay off work, school or nursery for at least four days from when the rash first appears, and try to avoid close contact with babies and anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system.