Dear All,
There is an increasing number of people in Birmingham with measles, with many measles cases linked to Birmingham schools. Measles is a very infectious disease that can spread rapidly - outbreaks can happen when not enough people have been vaccinated. While most people recover completely within a couple of weeks, measles can cause serious illness and in rare cases it can be fatal.

MMR VACCINE

The best way to protect against measles is to get 2 doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. If parents are not sure if they or their child has been vaccinated, they can check the personal child health record (the Red Book) or speak to their GP surgery. Anyone can catch up with missed MMR vaccinations at any age by contacting their GP surgery.

For families that avoid pork, an MMR vaccine is available that does not contain any pork products.

MEASLES SYMPTOMS

If children develop symptoms of measles, parents should contact their GP surgery or 111. They should NOT go to the GP, to A&E or any other setting without calling ahead. Staff will make special arrangements to see patients so that if they have measles, they won’t pass it to others.

The first signs of measles are:

• high temperature
• runny or blocked nose
• sneezing
• cough
• red, sore, watery eyes
• rash usually appears a few days after cold-like symptoms (sometimes starts around the ears before spreading to rest of the body)

Health Protection
Birmingham City Council