ISSN: 2575-9981
Authors: Harris S*
United Kingdom (UK) headlines have recently reported a rise in measles cases with over 216 confirmed cases and 103 probable cases in the West Midlands as of 18 January [1]. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has declared a national incident, and the agency is currently focusing on limiting further spread of the outbreak [1]. Measles is a highly contagious virus which can lead to serious complications such as pneumonias, encephalitis and in some cases death [2]. It is a virus spread through droplets or airborne transmission with the basic reproduction number (R0) of 12-18, meaning that an infected person would infect 12-18 by Guerra FM, et al. [3,4]. In comparison Sars-Cov-2 has an estimated R0 of 1.5 to 3.5 [5]. As a result, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends 95% two dose vaccine coverage of measles to reduce the transmission and provide herd immunity to those who are unable to receive the vaccine [4]. The UK has never met this target [6].
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