Measles cases soar across county

Lower take up of the MMR vaccine has left children unprotected

The number of cases of measles reported in Kent this year has risen to 181, with 32 confirmed, and health officials fear there may be even more unreported.

The figure was released on Monday, five days after it was revealed measles cases in England and Wales were the highest since monitoring began.

Across the country, 450 people had the disease from January to May 2006.

"We had a family where every child fell ill," said Kent Health Protection Unit director Dr Mathi Chandrakumar.

"We have had cases in schools and in prisons. Some children and adults have had to be admitted to hospitals."

Measles is normally a relatively mild illness but it can cause serious complications Dr Mathi Chandrakumar

Eighteen cases were reported in the Medway towns in the three months to the end of March.

They included three adult prisoners at Elmley Prison on the Isle of Sheppey, along with six children at Lordswood Primary School, Chatham.

There were no confirmed cases in Kent last year.

"Measles is normally a relatively mild illness but it can cause serious complications - breathing difficulties, stomach upsets, ear, lung and eye infections are all possible," said Dr Chandrakumar.

"It can even be fatal."

Take up of the MMR jab is below 82% in Medway

"Before we had the MMR vaccine measles was a very widespread disease and it is very infectious," said Dr Chandrakumar.

"Now I am concerned that because of the lower uptake of the MMR vaccine in recent years - though it is improving - large numbers of children and young people are being left unprotected."

He said MMR was safe and parents should get their children vaccinated to protect them.