Thirty-two cases of measles have now been confirmed in Pembrokeshire (more than 10% of the Welsh cases) and the current outbreak shows no sign of slowing. Dr Tony Jewell, chief medical officer for Wales, writes for the Western Telegraph about the dangers of measles and the need to vaccinate.

For further information call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 or visit www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk and www.immunisation.nhs.uk.The current measles outbreak has brought home the seriousness of the disease and the potentially devastating effects measles, mumps and rubella can have on children’s health.

Although measles is the most serious, all these diseases can have serious and even fatal complications.

Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known. It is spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes, and nearly everyone who catches measles will be ill with a high fever and rash.

On average, a child with measles will have to spend about five days in bed and may be off school for about ten days. Adults are likely to be ill for longer.

It should not be taken lightly, as about one in every 15 people who have measles will develop more serious complications which include fits and encephalitis (inflammation/ swelling of the brain). The stark fact is that measles can kill and worldwide 200,000 children die every year.

In 2007, there were 13 cases of measles across the whole of Wales and in 2008 that number rose to 39. So far in Pembrokeshire alone this year, 32 people have become infected. That’s more than double the total number of cases in Wales during 2007.

There is overwhelming scientific and medical consensus from independent expert bodies world-wide, that MMR vaccination is the best way to protect people against measles, mumps and rubella and that the vaccine has an exemplary safety record. MMR vaccination was introduced in the UK in 1988, and led to a marked decline in the incidence of measles, mumps, and rubella. From 1996, a second dose was introduced. Most children will be protected by their first dose but a pre-school booster is given to catch any children who have not developed full immunity.

Although nine out of ten parents of two-year-old children are content for MMR vaccination to be given, there are 80,000 school children in Wales who missed one or both vaccinations and remain at risk, with 45,000 having missed both doses.

Uptake levels of the MMR fell following the 1988 publication of an unproven – and later discredited – study suggesting a link between the vaccine and the development of long-term health problems such as bowel disease and autism.

Negative media coverage and high-profile public debates since then have resulted in a minority of parents withholding vaccination from their children. Autism is usually diagnosed in the second year of life – around the time of the first MMR vaccination. This means that purely by chance, some children would have developed their autism around the time of the vaccination.

It certainly does not mean that MMR causes autism and expert reviews show no causal link between MMR and autism.

More than 500 million doses of the MMR have been given in 100 countries. There is no single antigen vaccination for mumps and no licensed single antigen vaccine for measles and rubella in the UK.

This means that imported vaccines have not been quality assured or tested for efficiency against our standards.

The vast majority of confirmed cases in this current measles outbreak have not received any MMR vaccination and a small number have received one dose.

Health professionals are working hard to reach the unvaccinated children in outbreak areas. A DVD has been distributed to schools and nurseries, copies are being provided to all secondary schools and a new leaflet is also being distributed across Wales.

I encourage all those with children who have missed one or both vaccinations to contact their GP practice as soon as possible.