A series of interviews surrounding the recent rise in measles cases across the UK have been given by the Director of Public Health for Liverpool and Champs Collaborative Lead on Strategic Intelligence & Partnerships, Employment & Skills and Communications, Professor Matt Ashton.
Prof. Ashton sat with Radio 4, Sky News, BBC News and ITV Granada after the UKHSA issued a press release highlighting the underlying issues behind the rise.
Measles spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools. People in certain groups, including babies, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity, are at increased risk of complications from measles.
Speaking to the BBC, Prof. Ashton said measles was “incredibly easy to transmit” among unvaccinated people:
“One infected person can infect up to 15 other people, so it can spread really rapidly,” he said.
“That becomes very difficult to manage, and also can have potentially serious consequences for people who catch measles.
“We all have responsibility here to look after our children and young people, and the reality is diseases like measles are really nasty and it’s not something you’d want your loved ones to catch or be exposed to.”
Families are being urged to contact their GP by phone if any symptoms arise and are being warned against visiting a GP, walk-in centre or any other healthcare setting without calling ahead, as measles is very infectious.
More information about the symptoms can be found here: Measles – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
