The following information has been provided in relation to measles and to advice us of specific actions that should be taken by schools/families to reduce the chance of spread within the UK.

Health Protection Agency

Cheshire & Merseyside

Health Protection Unit

Current situation:

The number of measles cases in England is increasing with 135 confirmed in the first 3 months of 2011.The age profile of current cases is mainly older children and young adults. There has been a university outbreak as well as several small secondary school and boarding school outbreaks. There is an ongoing outbreak in France where there have been over 3000 cases already this year. The French outbreak has been associated with clusters in several other European countries, including Switzerland and Belgium. The cases are mainly unimmunised or partially immunised students (who have only had one dose of MMR). Some of the school aged cases are in the 'Wakefield Cohorts' – those groups where MMR coverage was most seriously affected by the adverse publicity. The most likely explanation for the current epidemiology is that the index cases are imported from Europe or import-related, with some limited spread within England.

I would strongly recommend that, if schools are proposing trips to France or bordering countries, then as part of their Health and Safety Risk Assessment, parents should be advised to ensure that their children are fully protected with 2 doses of MMR.

Yours sincerely

Sam Ghebrehewet, CCDC

Acting Unit Director

Cheshire & Merseyside HPU

Moorgate Road

Knowsley Industrial Park

Kirkby L33 7XW

Tel +44 (0)151 290 8360

Fax +44 (0)151 290 8366

www.hpa-nw.org.uk

www.hpa.org.uk