Measles cases in Sussex continues to rise

There have been 73 confirmed cases of the virus so far this year, more than ten times the number for the whole of 2010.

Health bosses believe many people have caught the virus while visiting countries which are experiencing a mass outbreak of the disease.

The Health Protection Agency is warning families planning to visit France, Bulgaria and Italy during the summer holidays to make sure everyone is protected.

It says there have been 16 cases of measles in Brighton and Hove, 40 in East Sussex and 17 in West Sussex.

However it is believed the actual number could be even higher because not every case is sent for testing.

The people affected are scattered around the county, instead of in clusters, which suggests the disease is becoming more widespread.

Brighton and Hove, which experienced an epidemic affecting more than 100 people in 2009, has one of the lowest measles, mumps and rubella take-up rates in the South East, although numbers are rising.

Jennie Leleux, public health nurse and immunisation lead for NHS Sussex, said: “It is vital that parents and young adults realise how important it is to get immunised.

“Although MMR take up in Sussex has improved over the last few years it is still not sufficient to prevent outbreaks of measles.

“It is a serious illness and in rare cases it can be fatal.

"Whether you stay here in the UK or travel abroad children and young adults should make sure that they are fully immunised."

MMR vaccinations are normally given at around the ages of two and five but they can still be given if a child is older.

Symptoms of measles include a runny nose, together with conjunctivitis, a cough, fever and a rash. The World Health Organisation says 95% of a population needs to be vaccinated to be protected.

About one in every 15 children with measles will develop serious complications which can include diarrhoea, ear and chest infections, fits, infection of the brain and brain damage.