Cardiff measles outbreak prompts MMR vaccination plea

Babies are usually given their first dose of MMR at 12 months old

A measles outbreak in Cardiff has prompted health officials to ask parents to make sure their children are up to date with their vaccinations.

Seven children across Cardiff have been confirmed as having measles over the past six weeks.

Symptoms include a distinctive red or brown rash which typically starts on the head and spreads and may be more difficult to see on darker skin.

Public Health Wales (PHW) said it was never too late to catch up on vaccines.

The first dose of MMR is usually given to babies at 12 months and the second just after three years of age.

PHW said measles infection complications were common, with one in 10 children needing hospital care after catching pneumonia and meningitis. and, for every 1,000 cases of measles, there was at least one reported fatality due to complications of the infection.

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Any child showing symptoms - which as well as the rash include a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes - should be kept home from school or nursey and away from vulnerable people.

Measles rashes typically start on the head and spread down the body

Sion Lingard, consultant in health protection for PHW said all seven cases have been linked.

He added: "While there is currently no evidence of wider community transmission, measles is an extremely contagious infection and we are concerned that people who are not protected by vaccination could be at risk."

He said further cases were expected in the following weeks and urged adults who had never had measles or the MMR vaccine and are in close contact with children to speak to their GP about vaccination.

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