More than 60 children infected in north London measles outbreak

"More than 60 children have been infected by a measles outbreak in north London, it has been reported. Seven schools and a nursery in Enfield reported the cases, with some children treated in hospital, according to the Sunday Times. There are concerns the outbreak is linked to low levels of MMR vaccination in the capital. For every one infected person, measles can spread to up to 18 unvaccinated people."

"Dudu Sher-Arami, Enfield's director of public health who is writing to every parent in the area, said the outbreak posed a serious threat to the wider capital and there was the potential to cause a much greater and bigger pan-London outbreak because residents travel across the city. She told the Sunday Times London has one of the lowest, if not the lowest, vaccination uptake rates in the country."

"Temporary vaccination clinics are being held in schools and throughout Enfield, an area in which more than a fifth of children are not inoculated against measles, mumps or rubella by the age of five. A government campaign promoting childhood vaccination is expected to be launched next week with adverts on social media, YouTube and radio to counter vaccine scepticism. Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms followed by a rash a few days later, according to the NHS."

More than 60 children in north London’s Enfield have been infected in a measles outbreak affecting seven schools and a nursery; some children required hospital treatment. Public health officials link the outbreak to low MMR vaccination uptake, with Enfield reporting over one-fifth of children unvaccinated by age five. Measles can spread to up to 18 unvaccinated people from one case and can cause serious complications including deafness, brain damage, and hospitalisation for one in five children. Temporary vaccination clinics are operating across Enfield and a government campaign with social media, YouTube and radio adverts is planned. WHO declared measles transmission re-established in the UK in 2024 after 3,681 cases.

Read at www.theguardian.com