Health agency warns parents (From Northwich Guardian)

Health agency warns parents

4:10pm Wednesday 5th November 2008

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A MEASLES epidemic is threatening to hit Northwich.

That was the message from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), which has now reported 22 cases of the illness in the Middlewich, Sandbach, Congleton and Crewe areas – eight of which have been confirmed by laboratory tests.

The only sure way for a child to avoid measles is to have two doses of MMR vaccine, preferably by age five, but at any age up to 18 if people have been previously unvaccinated.

Dr Rosemary McCann, from the HPA

Two children in Middlewich – an eight-year-old and a 17-month-old baby – have suspected cases of the virus and another two youngsters – an eight and a nine-year-old – have had their cases confirmed by laboratory tests.

Dr Rosemary McCann, from the HPA, said: “We are on the cusp of a measles epidemic and we must do all we can to head it off by encouraging parents to immunise their children.

“The only sure way for a child to avoid measles is to have two doses of MMR vaccine, preferably by age five, but at any age up to 18 if people have been previously unvaccinated.”

To date all the victims have been under 12-years-old, but the virus can affect people of any age. One victim needed hospital treatment but has now been allowed home.

Health officials are now urging all parents to get their child immunised with the MMR vaccine to protect them against the potentially fatal disease.

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, consultant with the HPA, said: “It is worrying that we potentially have 22 cases of measles in Cheshire and my fear is that we will see further outbreaks.”

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