Q&A: What is measles and how is it treated?
2013 is expected to be the worst year for measles in the UK for the past two decades. Read more about the illness and how it is treated.
No measles emergency yet, but medics want to prevent one
If the Government's top adviser on immunisation thinks the risk of an emergency in England is a possibility, I believe him.
Mother's autism fears despite debunked MMR theory
A mother convinced the MMR vaccine led to her son's autism has not immunised her daughter, despite the link being disproved.
Live updates
MMR drop-in clinics to be held in Powys
Drop-in sessions for measles vaccinations are being held in Powys this weekend. The focus will be on getting children and young people, who may not have receieved two doses of MMR, vaccinated.
Parents are being encouraged to get their children vaccinated amid the continuing measles outbreak across Wales. Anyone born before 1970 is thought likely to already be immune to measles.
'Remain vigilant' against measles
– Aneurin Bevan Health Board spokesperson"Despite the largest advertising push of all weekends only 16 people attended our last drop in clinic in Chepstow with a further 189 in Newport last weekend.
"We have been focussing our efforts on our scheduled vaccination programmes (e.g. schools) this week, and the MMR vaccination is accessible through GP surgeries. We are continuing close monitoring and will be reviewing the situation at weekly meetings."
– Dr. Sara Hayes, director of public health, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg"Numbers of measles cases being reported are slowing and this is good news. However, measles is still circulating in our community so we need to remain vigilant and keep going with our MMR programme. The importance of everyone having two MMRs, especially school age children, is still our priority."
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'Concern' at measles risk for thousands of youngsters
– Dr Marion Lyons, Director of Health Protection for Public Health WalesWe are delighted to see that thanks to the efforts of health board staff and the efforts of parents, the number vaccinated with MMR has now passed 60,000.
This will undoubtedly have helped to reduce the length and severity of the current outbreak – but we remain concerned for the 33,000 children aged 10 to 18 who remain unvaccinated.
There will always be the possibility of measles outbreaks elsewhere in Wales until we reduce the numbers of unvaccinated people. If your child has missed one or both doses of MMR, do not be complacent – take action now.
Measles figures reveal slight rise in confirmed cases
Figures released by Public Health Wales reveal there have been 1,336 confirmed cases of measles across Wales since November - a rise of 11 since Tuesday.
In 2011 there were just 19 reported cases in Wales.
Figures from Public Health Wales show that more than 60,000 people have received the MMR vaccination in Wales since the beginning of March.
But health chiefs say they are 'concerned' for the 33,000 children aged 10 to 18 who remain unvaccinated.
Measles 'is still circulating'
In spite of the slowdown in new cases health officials are warning people against complacency.
– Dr Sara Hayes, Director of Public Health at ABMNumbers of measles cases being reported are slowing and this is good news. However, measles is still circulating in our community so we need to remain vigilant and keep going with our MMR programme. The importance of everyone having two MMRs, especially school age children, is still our priority.
We’ve had a brilliant response from the public, giving over 8,500 MMRs in our drop-in clinics alone, which is more than we hoped we would.
A drop in clinic is being held tonight in the Outpatients department of the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend between 6pm and 9pm.
Latest measles figures due out
Public Health Wales will publish the latest figures for the number of people with measles later today. The outbreak appears to be slowing down with the latest figures showing an increase of 20 cases in south and mid-Wales, but health officials are still urging people to get vaccinated.
Young people aged 10 -18 are the age group that have been hardest hit and doctors are keen to stress that measles is a serious, and even potentially fatal, disease.
Throughout Wales there have now been 1,325 cases of measles since the start of November 2012 – compared with only 19 cases in the whole of Wales in 2011.
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'No room for complacency' in measles outbreak
The measles outbreak in the Swansea area is showing signs of slowing down - but health chiefs stress it would be 'dangerous' to become complacent.
Figures released yesterday revealed another increase in the number of measles cases, but at a less rapid rate.
But the area's Director of Public Health warned: "It would be dangerous to take our eye off the ball now".
– Dr Sara Hayes, Director of Public Health, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health BoardNumbers of measles cases being reported are slowing and this is good news. However, measles is still circulating in our community so we need to remain vigilant and keep going with our MMR programme. The importance of everyone having two MMRs, especially school-age children, is still our priority.
Final week for MMR vaccinations in schools
The number of cases reported as part of the outbreak centred on the Swansea area has reached 1,125 - an increase of 20 over the last five days.
– Dr Marion Lyons, Director of Health Protection for Public Health WalesThis is the final week that children in schools across Wales will be offered the MMR vaccination, so parents whose children have not yet been fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR are reminded to complete the consent form to ensure the vaccine can be given.
The MMR is also available through GP surgeries, and more than 3,500 doses of MMR have been given in Welsh GP surgeries in the last seven days, which is a great sign that people are still coming forward for the vaccination.
Drop-in vaccination sessions will be held in the Powys Teaching Health Board area on Saturday, at Brecon and Newtown Hospitals.
Another increase in measles cases
There have now been 1,325 cases of measles in Wales since last November.
Public Health Wales has released the latest figures - which show 33 new cases since last Thursday.
It is a bigger increase than that reported a week ago, but much smaller than in previous weeks and months.
Figures due out in measles outbreak
Public Health Wales will publish their latest figures for the measles outbreak at lunchtime. Last week the figures showed there were 1,292 cases across Wales and 1,105 confirmed in the outbreak area centred on Swansea.
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