Measles alert issued for Europe

Families jetting off on European holidays during the Easter break have been urged to vaccinate their children against measles.

The Health Protection Agency has issued advice to schools in England to make sure children are protected against the illness after an outbreak in mainland Europe.

An official for the HPA said several countries including Denmark, France, Germany and the Netherlands have had increased numbers of measles cases so far this year, as reported by the World Health Organisation.

France reported more than 1,500 cases in 2009, more than 4,500 cases in 2010 and nearly 1,000 cases in January 2011.

Turkey recently reported an outbreak in Istanbul, as well as cases linked to a large outbreak in Bulgaria in 2010.

The official said overseas travel is an important factor in the international spread of measles and that HPA health protection units are writing to schools and health professionals in their local area.

She added: “The HPA is issuing advice to schools and health professionals on measles and recommends that children are fully immunised with two doses of MMR before travelling to Europe for holidays.”

Measles causes a range of symptoms including fever, coughing and distinctive red-brown spots on the skin.

The virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The highly-contagious virus can be caught by breathing in these droplets or, if the droplets have settled on a surface, by touching the surface and then placing your hands near your nose or mouth.