Measles outbreak declared as new cases confirmed

A measles outbreak has been declared after two new cases were recorded in south-east Wales.

Public Health Wales said there had been four confirmed cases in total, all of whom were children "in the Gwent area".

The cases were linked after one of the four was in the children's emergency assessment unit at The Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, Torfaen, on 21 March, the agency said.

The children were receiving appropriate care and contacts had been identified.

"Measles is a highly infectious disease and cases have been rising across the UK and Europe in recent months, so this development is not unexpected," Beverley Griggs, consultant in health protection for PHW said.

The health organisation said if any contacts of the sick children were not immunised, it would request withdrawal from nursery, education or other high-risk settings.

"This is a routine public health action to help prevent further cases of measles in those who are most at risk," Ms Griggs said in a statement.

"If your child has a fever and a rash, it is really important that you telephone before arrival, or immediately notify staff on arrival at your GP surgery or other healthcare setting, so they can be promptly isolated and avoid any further transmission."

Measles can be prevented by the MMR vaccine and PHW urged parents and guardians to check the vaccine status of their child by checking their red book or visiting their health board's website.