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Measles

Measles Outbreak in Leicester: A Public Health Emergency

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A measles outbreak has been underway in the UK, with Leicester being one of the worst-hit areas. The outbreak, which started in October, has seen more than 2,000 cases confirmed nationally, the largest in over a decade. In Leicester, 149 suspected cases have been reported since October, with six new cases in June. The Blaby district has the highest number of suspected cases in the county. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued guidelines for protecting patients with weakened immune systems, and parents are being advised to ensure schools and nurseries are aware of the risks and to quickly alert families if a classmate is diagnosed with measles. The UKHSA has attributed the spread to low take-up of the MMR vaccine in parts of the country.

Key Takeaways:

  • The measles outbreak in the UK has resulted in over 2,000 confirmed cases nationally, the largest in over a decade.
  • Leicester is one of the worst-hit areas, with 149 suspected cases reported since October, including six new cases in June.
  • The Blaby district has the highest number of suspected cases in the county, with 48 cases reported since October.
  • The UKHSA has urged parents to ensure schools and nurseries are aware of the risks of measles and to quickly alert families if a classmate is diagnosed with the disease.
  • The agency has also advised that people should ensure all family members and close contacts are fully vaccinated against measles.
  • The low take-up of the MMR vaccine in parts of the country is being blamed for the spread of the disease.
  • In England, 92.5% of children had received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine by the age of five in 2022-23, down from 93.4% the previous year and below the national target of 95.5%.
  • Only 84.5% of children in England have received both doses of the MMR vaccine.
  • The World Health Organisation has stated that MMR vaccine coverage must be 95% or higher to achieve population-level immunity.

Statistics:

  • 2,000: the number of confirmed measles cases nationally in the latest outbreak.
  • 149: the number of suspected measles cases in Leicester since October.
  • 48: the number of suspected measles cases in the Blaby district since October.
  • 10: the number of suspected measles cases in June in the Charnwood district.
  • 92.5%: the percentage of children in England who had received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine by the age of five in 2022-23.
  • 93.4%: the percentage of children in England who had received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine by the age of five in the previous year.
  • 95.5%: the national target for MMR vaccine coverage.
  • 84.5%: the percentage of children in England who have received both doses of the MMR vaccine.

Sources:

  • World Health Organisation (no date) - coverage must be 95% or higher to achieve population-level immunity.
  • UK Health Security Agency (no date) - issued guidelines for protecting patients with weakened immune systems.
  • UK Health Security Agency (no date) - attributed the spread of measles to low take-up of the MMR vaccine in parts of the country.
  • [Source 1 - getty images]
  • [Source 2 - World Health Organisation]

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