Measles outbreak officially declared in Wales as more cases confirmed

A measles outbreak has officially been declared in one area of Wales as more cases have been confirmed after "clear evidence of spread" was identified. Public Health Wales (PHW) has declared an outbreak of measles in Gwent after two new cases were confirmed.

Last week the health body announced that two cases had been confirmed and that at least one case had attended the Grange Hospital in Cwmbran. On Tuesday PHW said the four cases are all linked to attendance at a healthcare setting on March 21.

According to PHW contacts of the cases have been identified and advice has been given relating to the signs and symptoms of measles. The two new cases are receiving appropriate care. For the latest health and Covid news sign up to our newsletter here.

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Beverley Griggs, consultant in health protection for Public Health Wales and chair of the multi-agency outbreak control team, said: “Measles is a highly infectious disease and cases have been rising across the UK and Europe in recent months so this development is not unexpected. As a result of having clear evidence of spread from the initial case we have declared an outbreak of measles in the Gwent area.

“We are identifying contacts of all cases and will contact them to provide advice on symptoms and what action to take if they need to seek medical advice. Where contacts are unimmunised we will also request withdrawal from nursery, education, or other high-risk settings. This is a routine public health action to help prevent further cases of measles in those who are most at risk.

“Parents who are concerned about their child’s health can check the symptoms at the NHS 111 website. If your child has a fever and a rash it is really important that you telephone before arrival, or immediately notify staff on arrival at your GP surgery or other healthcare setting, so they can be promptly isolated and avoid any further transmission.” Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news.

Measles can be prevented with the use of the highly effective and safe MMR vaccine, PHW has said. If you are unsure of the MMR vaccine status of your child you can check it with your child's red book or by visiting your local health board's website. PHW has warned that there are risks of not being vaccinated not only to yourself but also to others who are vulnerable including babies, pregnant women who have not had the vaccine, and older people with weaker immune systems.