Measles: Increase in Cases Posted or Updated on 27 May 2025

Increase in Cases in Greater Manchester

Measles is caused by a morbillivirus of the paramyxovirus family. Early symptoms include the onset of fever, malaise (aches and pains), coryza (head cold), conjunctivitis (red eyes) and cough.

The most common complications of measles include pneumonia, ear infection, diarrhoea and convulsions. Rarely, measles can cause encephalitis and death.

Measles is a notifiable disease in England and Wales. Health professionals must inform local health protection teams of suspected cases.

Measles is vaccine preventable. In the UK children receive 2 doses of the combined measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule.

2018 marks 50 years since the introduction of the first measles containing vaccine into the UK childhood immunisation programme.

Who is eligible for a MMR vaccine

children should receive their two scheduled doses of MMR vaccine on time at the ages
of 12 months and 3 years and 4 months.

• MMR vaccine can be given from six months of age before travel to a high-risk
  country. Children who receive an MMR dose before their first birthday still require two
  further doses to be given at the recommended times.
• Patients over the age of three years and four months who do not have two recorded
  doses of MMR vaccine should be caught up opportunistically.
• Adults who are not protected should also be caught up. This includes patients born before 1970 who have no history of measles or MMR vaccination.
• New entrants from abroad and newly registered patients should have their immunisation
  history checked and missing doses caught up.
• Post-natal women should have their MMR vaccine history checked and offered any
  outstanding doses.

Measles case Vigilance and Management

Suspected measles cases should be isolated immediately to protect other patients, where appropriate a diagnostic specimen should be sent and the case should be excluded from school, nursery or work for 4 days after the onset of rash.  

Symptoms, including how the rash develops

Complications of Measles

Measles can lead to serious problems if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain.

Problems that can be caused by measles include:

• pneumonia
• meningitis
• blindness
• seizures (fits)

These problems are rare, but some people are more at risk. This includes babies and people with weakened immune systems.

For more information visit : NHS.UK