{"id":163381,"date":"2025-06-06T16:27:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T16:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/163381\/"},"modified":"2025-06-06T16:27:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T16:27:12","slug":"birmingham-city-council-warning-issued-amid-wave-of-measles-cases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/163381\/","title":{"rendered":"Birmingham City Council warning issued amid \u2018wave\u2019 of measles cases"},"content":{"rendered":"

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)<\/a> warned outbreaks of measles were continuing in England, with 109 cases confirmed in April and 86 in May.<\/p>\n

It said cases had predominantly been in unvaccinated children aged ten and under, with ongoing outbreaks in a number of regions.<\/p>\n

In the West Midlands, there have been seven confirmed cases, mostly across Birmingham<\/a>, in just over a week, while London had almost half of all cases reported in the past four weeks.<\/p>\n

The UKHSA said there was a risk of the holiday season causing a summer surge due to a global increase in measles cases, including Europe, over the last year.<\/p>\n

Earlier this week, UKHSA regional deputy director in the West Midlands<\/a> Katie Spence issued advice to those planning to attend \u201cget-togethers\u201d such as Eid or take a trip abroad.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeasles can cause serious illness, and while most people will recover completely within a couple of weeks, the virus can sometimes leave permanent disability and can even be fatal,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeasles is very infectious and can spread rapidly among communities, if people have not had at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe recent wave of cases we\u2019ve seen in the West Midlands have all been in unvaccinated children under ten.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s so important that you and your family are protected by the MMR vaccine \u2013 especially before meeting up with family and friends for get-togethers such as Eid this weekend, or going away on holiday, as outbreaks are being seen in many countries.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"BirminghamBirmingham City Council House. Taken by LDR Alexander Brock. Permission for use for all LDRS partners.<\/p>\n

Ms Spence said the MMR vaccine was \u201cvery effective\u201d and protected against measles, along with mumps and rubella.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is completely free on the NHS, and there is a version of the vaccine (Priorix) that is suitable for people who don\u2019t touch pork products \u2013 just ask at your GP surgery,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need two doses for maximum protection, and these should be given before your child starts school full-time, but you can arrange to have any jabs you\u2019ve missed, it\u2019s never too late to catch up.\u201d<\/p>\n

With cases increasing across the city, Birmingham Council also issued its own warning for those planning to attend gatherings.<\/p>\n

A council health bulletin on Friday, June 6, read: \u201cWith large gatherings approaching, including upcoming Eid celebrations, please remind parents and children to speak to their GP if they experience any symptoms, as measles spreads easily in group settings.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they do attend a large gathering, please remind them to stay vigilant for symptoms, as most people experience symptoms 10-12 days after contact with the virus.\u201d<\/p>\n

The council said measles usually started with cold-like symptoms.<\/p>\n

In its health bulletin, it said the first symptoms of measles included:<\/p>\n