Parents have been warned about a potential measles outbreak that is spreading throughout the United Kingdom.
Health officials have revealed that there have been over 100 confirmed cases of the measles, meaning the country is on the verge of an outbreak.
The first cases originated in Liverpool and Leeds in November, but now, a further six regions in the UK have been affected by the infection, with Surrey, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, West Yorkshire, Sussex and West Midlands reporting numerous cases.
They believe that the infection may have spread from people who have visited Germany, Italy and Romania recently. People who have travelled to these countries that aren’t protected against the measles are at a greater risk of being infected.
The NHS has recommended that parents bring their children to their GP to get the MMR vaccine, which protects youths from mumps, measles and rubella.
The disease can affect anyone, but children are one of the high-risk groups. The NHS reassured parents by sharing that the measles tends to clear up between seven to ten days, however, they stressed the importance of vaccinating your children.
Being aware of the symptoms will help parents treat the disease quickly
So, what are the symptoms of the measles?
- Cold-like symptoms including a runny nose, sneezing, dry cough and sore eyes.
- A mild to severe temperature which may last for several days.
- Small white/grey spots in the mouth and throat.
- Lack of energy and fatigue.
- Lack of appetite.
- A red-brown spotty rash which appears two to four days after the initial symptoms occur. The rash can last for up to eight days and usually starts at the top of the head and works its way down the body.
For more information on the MMR vaccine, click here.
