Measles found in local schools

A small number of measles cases have been identified in primary and secondary schools in Tower Hamlets. These cases have occurred in individuals who have not been vaccinated against measles.

Public Health England has been working with Tower Hamlets Council to inform local GPs, schools and parents of these measles cases and is urging parents and guardians to make sure their children have the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, Director of Public Health England in London, said: “Parents are being given information on the symptoms of measles and are asked to ensure their child is fully immunised with two doses of the MMR vaccine, if they aren’t already. Parents who are unsure whether their child has had two doses of MMR should call their GP practice to check and arrange an appointment as soon as possible if necessary.”

Dr Somen Banerjee, Director of Public Health at Tower Hamlets Council, said: “Measles is a very infectious viral illness that spreads rapidly among children and adults who are not vaccinated. Vaccinations are free and children can receive them as early as the age of 12 to 13 months. Two doses of MMR is the safest way to protect children from measles, mumps and rubella.”

Measles is most infectious from four days before the appearance of the rash until four days after.  Children should be kept off school for five days after the onset of the rash. Further information about measles and the MMR vaccine is available on the NHS Choices website:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/Measles/Pages/Introduction.aspx www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/mmr-vaccine.aspx

The symptoms of measles
• Symptoms typically develop nine to 14 days (usually ten days) after becoming infected.
• Initial symptoms include cold-like symptoms, e.g. runny nose, cough, red eyes, aches and pains, tiredness, irritability and high fever, which may peak at 40°C / 104°F.
• Tiny greyish-white spots (called Koplik’s spots) may appear in the mouth and throat.
• Initial symptoms are followed by a red-brown spotty rash, which develops a few days later.
• The rash usually starts behind the ears and spreads over the face, neck and body.
• Spots are initially small but quickly get bigger and often join together.