This 1950s disease is making a comeback in the UK, here’s everything you need to know

Covid-19 is still very much present in the UK, however, it is not the only illness causing concern. Indeed a particular 1950s disease is slowly making a return in the UK. According to Devon Live, the number of measles cases in the country is slowly rising.

Measles surged after World War II until a vaccine was finally introduced in 1963. Thanks to the vaccine, the disease was almost eradicated in the UK. However, recently experts have seen a rise in the number of cases in the country in children who have not been vaccinated. The number of cases is still relatively low, but they could increase. Here’s everything you need to know.

Measles cases are rising in the UK

Devon Live reported that there has been a total of 149 lab-confirmed cases of measles in England in 2023, according to government data on MMR. London is believed to be the worst-hit area with 89 cases so far.

The southeast of the country has recorded 14 cases of measles, shortly followed by Yorkshire & the Humber with 11 cases in the region.

Measles can be fatal in some cases and can also cause complications such as pneumonia, meningitis and even long-term disability on rare occasions. Due to the surge in cases, Leicester’s director of public health has urged parents to make sure their children are vaccinated.

Rob Howard said:

We have recently had two confirmed cases of measles in the city; one case is a university student, and the other is a school student. Neither have had the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine known as MMR.

He added:

The best way to protect yourself and your family is to have the MMR vaccination. Anyone who hasn’t already had two doses should contact their GP surgery for an appointment to get vaccinated.

What are the symptoms of measles?

As with any illness or disease, it is important to know the symptoms so you can spot them earlier and facilitate treatment. The most common symptoms of measles are the following:

• High fever
• Runny nose and cough
• Red and watery eyes
• Small white spots inside the cheeks
• A whole-body rash - usually begins on the face and neck before spreading further

Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist said:

Measles can be a serious infection that can lead to complications especially in young children and those with weakened immune systems. Due to longstanding sub-optimal vaccine uptake there is now a very real risk of seeing big outbreaks in London.

She also explained that measles can spread easily but is also preventable as long as people have received their two MMR vaccines.

Read more:

⋙ This potentially fatal Victorian-era disease could be making a comeback in the UK

⋙ Covid-19: This is what it’s really like to have the virus in 2023

⋙ Tuberculosis: This disease from the past could be making a comeback due to COVID

Sources used:

Devon Live: ‘Mapped - the 1950s disease making comeback - cases near where you live’