Measles cases hit a record high as MMR fears remain

Official figures yesterday revealed 971 cases in England and Wales, up on the 740 recorded the previous year.

The main increase was in the first half of 2007, before the Health Protection Agency issued a plea to parents to continue with the triple injection.

It warned that children should have both doses of the jab against measles, mumps and rubella before returning to school, after a high number of cases over the summer.

By contrast, in the final three months 272 cases of measles were confirmed, compared to 412 the previous quarter.

Cases of both mumps (1,442) and rubella (27) were lower than in 2006, when there were 4,381 and 32 cases respectively.

The HPA's report said: "The measles cases were mainly associated with prolonged outbreaks in travelling and religious communities where vaccine uptake has been historically low.

"In addition, there have been numerous smaller outbreaks in nurseries and schools."

Nearly four in five cases were in children under 15.

But 90 babies were affected before their first birthdays, 312 cases were in one to four-yearolds and 237 cases were in five to nine-year-olds.

Among those aged 10 to 14, there were 128 cases.

Nearly three-quarters were reported in south eastern England, with 424 cases in London.

A further 136 were reported in Yorkshire and Humberside and 62 in the East Midlands.

Dr Mary Ramsay, consultant epidemiologist at the HPA, said: 'This increase in measles cases is of concern.

"Although MMR coverage is starting to improve, we know large numbers of children are still not fully protected. Therefore we expect to see more large outbreaks of measles in the future.

"The difficulty the NHS faces is predicting exactly when and where these outbreaks will occur.

"The only way to reduce their impact is to ensure the uptake of the MMR vaccine increases and that older children who have missed out come forward for vaccination.

"Our main focus is to remind people that they need two doses of the MMR vaccine to be fully protected.

'Anyone who has not had two doses could be at risk of this serious infection."

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "It is never too late to get your child immunised - if they have missed a vaccination, get in touch with your GP surgery to arrange an appointment to have your child protected.

"If you aren't sure whether your child has had both recommended doses of MMR, then ask your GP.

"MMR uptake has increased in recent years - but we want to see even more children protected against these potentially serious diseases."