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A measles outbreak has been declared in Gwent, Public Health Wales has announced.
The organisation has said it is working with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to investigate two further measles cases identified in Gwent, which brings the overall number to four cases.
All four cases are linked to attendance at a healthcare setting on March 21.
Public Health Wales (PHW) has identified contacts of the cases and has said it is providing patients with advice on what action to take, as well as signs and symptoms of measles.
PHW also said both patients are receiving “appropriate care”.
What is measles?
Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, coughing or red, sore, watery eyes, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small white spots in their mouth.
Why is Caerphilly in Gwent?
Caerphilly County Borough was formed on April 1, 1996, by the merger of the Rhymney Valley district of Mid Glamorgan with the Islwyn borough of Gwent.
Administratively, for local services such as the police and health, the borough now falls under a wider region referred to as Gwent. This comprises the council areas of Caerphilly, Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire.
Beverley Griggs, consultant in health protection for PHW, and chair of the multi-agency Outbreak Control Team, said: “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.
“As a result of having clear evidence of spread from the initial case, we have declared an outbreak of measles in the Gwent area.
“We are identifying contacts of all cases and will contact them to provide advice on symptoms and what action to take if they need to seek medical advice.
“Where contacts are unimmunised, we will also 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.”
She continued: “Parents who are concerned about their child’s health can check the symptoms at the NHS 111 website.
“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.”
In February this year, Wales’ chief medical officer, Sir Frank Atherton, warned measles outbreaks could become more frequent in Wales unless urgent action is taken.
Sir Frank called on parents to make sure their children are up to date with their childhood vaccinations.
Measles can be vaccinated against with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.
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