Health experts in England have issued a stark warning about a serious outbreak of measles, anticipating that the number of cases could escalate to tens of thousands.
Health experts in England have issued a stark warning about a serious outbreak of measles, anticipating that the number of cases could escalate to tens of thousands.
The U.K. Health Security Agency reported on Friday that, since October, there have been 216 confirmed cases and 103 probable cases in the West Midlands region, with around 80% of these cases centered around the city of Birmingham. This marks a significant increase from last year’s total of 209 measles cases and the 2022 tally of 53.
The surge in measles cases has prompted fears of a potential public health crisis, and health authorities are grappling to contain the spread of the highly contagious disease. The U.K. government had previously cautioned that a measles outbreak in London could result in between 40,000 and 160,000 cases if vaccination rates did not improve. Unfortunately, vaccination rates in England have been declining for years due to misinformation and shrinking community health budgets.
According to the state-run National Health Service (NHS), approximately 89% of children in England have received their first measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine dose by the age of 2, down from 93% a decade ago.
The World Health Organization recommends a threshold of 95% vaccination coverage to maintain herd immunity. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, a new British information campaign is urging parents to ensure their children receive the necessary vaccinations.
During a session in the House of Commons, British lawmaker Maria Caulfield revealed the scale of the challenge, stating that more than 3.4 million children under 16 in the country are not vaccinated against measles. The concerning trend extends beyond England, as Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s director for the European region, disclosed that there were 42,200 measles cases across 41 countries in Europe in 2023, a nearly 45-fold increase from the previous year.
A crisis is also unfolding in central Asia, where over 13,600 cases were recorded in 2023, primarily affecting unvaccinated children under 14. In the United States, three states have reported measles cases in the last month, with Philadelphia confirming at least eight locally acquired cases, Camden County, New Jersey confirming a case, and Georgia health officials confirming the state’s first case in four years in Atlanta.
Measles primarily affects children and is characterized by a red, blotchy rash following symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. The disease can lead to severe complications, with approximately 1 in 5 unvaccinated individuals hospitalized, and up to 3 out of 1,000 children with measles succumbing to complications like pneumonia or swelling of the brain, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In an effort to combat the outbreak, the MMR vaccine is offered to children in Britain starting at 12 months, with a second dose shortly after they turn 3. In the U.S., children receive their second dose between 4 and 6 years old, with the two shots being 97% effective, according to the CDC.
Despite these efforts, sustaining high levels of vaccination over an extended period remains a significant challenge. Professor Helen Bedford, from University College London’s Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, emphasized the difficulty of maintaining such high vaccination levels when the disease appears to have subsided. She noted that people might perceive the disease as no longer a threat and may neglect to vaccinate.
Several factors have contributed to England’s vaccination challenges, including low uptake among low-income and ethnically diverse groups, as highlighted in a 2021 NHS study in southeast England. Professor Azeem Majeed, from Imperial College London, emphasized the need for a more proactive approach from the NHS, especially in reaching out to economically disadvantaged and highly mobile populations.
As health authorities work to address the measles outbreak, urgent measures are required to boost vaccination rates and prevent the further spread of this highly contagious and potentially dangerous disease. Public awareness campaigns, targeted outreach efforts, and accessible healthcare services will be essential in curbing the current trend and protecting communities from the resurgence of measles.