Measles vaccine push as case confirmed in Wirral

Parents are being urged to ensure their children have had both doses of the MMR vaccine

People in Wirral are being urged to make sure they are vaccinated against measles after it was confirmed a young child is ill with the first known case in the area this year.

On Sunday a child died at Liverpool's Alder Hey Hospital after contracting the virus.

Health authorities across Merseyside are now encouraging people to make sure their children have received both doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Wirral's director of public health Dave Bradburn said work was taking place to limit the potential spread of the virus after the new case was identified.

"There has been an increase across Cheshire and Merseyside over the last few months," he said.

"This is the first case that we have been notified of in Wirral this year."

Measles is a highly contagious disease which is spread by coughs and sneezes.

Mr Bradburn encouraged parents to be aware of symptoms.

Common symptoms include high fever; sore, red and watery eyes; coughing; and sneezing.

Small white spots may also appear inside the mouth.

A blotchy red or brown rash usually appears after a few days, typically on the face and behind the ears, before spreading.