Measles cases rise as London GPs warn 'more outbreaks very likely'

"It could get worse before it gets better Once you have measles in a community with low vaccination rates, more outbreaks are very likely."

"This outbreak in North London serves as a warning that similar situations could arise in other areas. Low vaccination rates are not confined to London - they are observed nationwide, particularly in urban, highly mobile environments where community transmission can occur more rapidly."

"Of course I'm scared - even though my kids are all vaccinated. I thought it was compulsory and to be honest I am surprised it's not."

A measles outbreak in North London has produced 88 cases across the capital, including 16 new cases in Enfield and ten in Haringey. One infected person can generate up to 18 secondary infections, increasing the likelihood of rapid community spread in areas with low vaccine coverage. Enfield's proportion of children fully vaccinated by age five is 65.8%, below the national average of 84% and far below the NHS target of 95%. Hammersmith & Fulham's MMR vaccination rate is 58.7%. One in five infected children in Enfield have been hospitalised. Low vaccination uptake and urban mobility create conditions for similar outbreaks elsewhere, and some families report fear while others express vaccine hesitancy.

Read at www.standard.co.uk