Health officials have issued a warning of potential measles outbreaks across England as cases in the West Midlands have surged by more than 30% in less than a week. The region has reported over 300 suspected infections between October 23 last year and Monday, marking the largest increase in cases outside London.

Dr. Ronny Cheung, a children’s consultant, emphasized the severity of the infection, stating that it could cause great discomfort or even result in fatalities. Official figures reveal that the uptake of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in the country is at its lowest point in over a decade.

In the 2022/23 period, only 84.5% of youngsters had received both doses of the jab by the age of five, the lowest level since 2010/11. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data released on Monday indicated 198 lab-confirmed cases in the West Midlands and 104 ‘likely’ cases, with the majority concentrated in Birmingham.

Health authorities are urging people across the country to get vaccinated, emphasizing that there is no upper age limit for receiving the jab. Unvaccinated children who come into contact with the disease are advised to stay at home for 21 days. Dr. Cheung highlighted the importance of reminding people about the benefits and potential risks of measles amidst low vaccination rates.

He also expressed concerns about the likelihood of more outbreaks occurring outside of the West Midlands due to the uneven distribution of vaccination rates. Measles’ high contagiousness, coupled with low immunization rates in certain areas, increases the risk of significant outbreaks.

Professor Helen Bedford from UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health emphasized the severity of measles, stating that about one in 1,000 people with measles develop inflammation of the brain, and approximately one in 5,000 die from the infection. With no specific treatment available, vaccination remains the most crucial preventive measure against measles.