Why is measles on the rise in the UK
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].
References
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Guerra FM, Bolotin S, Lim G, Heffernan J, Deeks SL, et al. (2017) The Basic Reproduction Number (R0) of Measles: A Systematic Review. Lancet Infectious Diseases 17(12): 420-428.
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World Health Organisation (WHO) (2017) Measles Vaccines: WHO Position paper, April 2017-Recommendations 37(2): 219-222.
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Manathunga SS, Abeyagunawardena IA, Dharmaratne SD (2023) A Comparison of Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern. Virology Journal 20(1): 59.
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(2023) Risk assessment for measles resurgence in the UK. UK Health Security Agency.
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(2019) UK Measles and Rubella elimination strategy. Public Health England.
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(2023) Routine Childhood Immunisations. UK Health Security Agency.
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(2023) Vaccination of Individuals with uncertain or complete immunisation status. UK Health Security Agency.
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(2023) UK measles and rubella elimination indicators and status. UK Health Security Agency.
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(2023) Preparing for measles resurgence in England: Letter for Primary Care. UK Health Security Agency.
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(2024) NHS vaccination strategy, England.
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Gupta PC, Satapathy P, Gupta A, Sah R, Padhi BK (2023) The fallout of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Missed Measles Shots? - Correspondence. Annals of Medicine and Surgery 85(3): 561-563.
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Firman N, Marszalek M, Gutierrez A, Homer K, Williams C, et al. (2022) Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Timeliness and Equity of Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccinations in North East London: A Longitudinal Study using Electronic Health Records. British Medical Journal 12(12): e066288.
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(2024) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Global Measles Outbreaks.
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Ginige S (2023) A Global Outbreak of Measles Following the Pandemic. Weekly Epidemiological Report 50(12).
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Dahanayaka NJ, Pahalagamage S, Ganegama RM, Weerawansa P, Agampodi SB (2015) The 2013 Measles outbreak in Sri Lanka: Experience from a rural District and Implications for Measles Elimination Goals. Infect Diseases of Poverty 4(51).
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World Health Organisation (WHO) (2020) Measles and rubella strategic framework 2021-2030.
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Greaves F, Donaldson L (2013) Measles in the UK: a Test of Public Health Competency in a Crisis. British Medical Journal 346: f2793.
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