ISLANDERS have been encouraged to check that they and their children are fully up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations after the confirmation of a positive case of measles – the first in Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ for eight years.
Although the person concerned is said to be “recovering well”, Public Health officials have stressed that measles is highly contagious and can be very serious in those who are immunocompromised, pregnant or aged under one year old.
The disease has been circulating in the UK and other countries recently, but there has not been a confirmed case in Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ since 2016.
Grace Norman, deputy director of Public Health said: “A single case of measles has been confirmed in Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ. The individual is recovering well at home and all necessary precautions are taking place, including contact tracing.  
“Measles is preventable by vaccination and once fully immune you cannot catch, carry or pass on the illness.
“Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ has good MMR vaccination rates which makes this a rare occurrence and reduces the chances of the disease spreading.”
Symptoms of measles include: cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and a cough; sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light and a high temperature or fever. A red-brown blotchy rash will typically appear after a few days, usually starting on the head or upper neck.
Anyone who is unsure about whether they or their child has been vaccinated should contact their GP or call the Childhood Immunisation Team on 443741.
