Shortfalls in vaccination are responsible for increasing rates of measles and mumps, public health experts have warned.
The latest figures for measles show a 30% increase in cases this year – while mumps cases have more than doubled.
Between April and June there were 301 new cases of measles compared with 231 the previous quarter, Public Health England said.
Some 266 of the infected patients had never been vaccinated and were over the age of 15, according to the analysis.
The number of mumps cases increased from 795 to 2,028 during the same period, mostly affecting university students.
The agency called for people of all ages who have not been vaccinated to get themselves protected.
Dr Mary Ramsay, from Public Health England, said: "Although it is normal to see mumps outbreaks in universities every few years, we are seeing a significant number of cases, the highest quarterly figure since 2009.
Coupled with the continued measles outbreaks these figures clearly demonstrate the need for sustained high vaccination rates.
"We’re urging parents and their children, no matter how old they are, to check they’ve had 2 doses of MMR. Measles is easy to catch and can kill. Vaccines are there to stop the spread of disease and save lives."
Professor Helen Bedford, immunisation expert at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: “Measles is a potentially serious illness but it is preventable by vaccination. With children about to go back to school and young people starting university, this is an ideal time to check whether they have had the two doses of MMR vaccine needed for best protection against measles, mumps and rubella."
Leave a Reply