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Rise expected in new Swansea measles outbreak figures Rise expected in new Swansea measles outbreak figures
(35 minutes later)
Figures due to be released later are expected to show the Swansea measles epidemic is continuing to grow.Figures due to be released later are expected to show the Swansea measles epidemic is continuing to grow.
So far 541 people have been diagnosed with the disease, after the first patients fell ill in November.So far 541 people have been diagnosed with the disease, after the first patients fell ill in November.
Up to 20 new cases a day are being reported by GPs, with 109 new cases in a week over the Easter period.Up to 20 new cases a day are being reported by GPs, with 109 new cases in a week over the Easter period.
Health officials estimate about 3,800 children in the Swansea area have still not had the MMR vaccine, and parents are being asked to act.Health officials estimate about 3,800 children in the Swansea area have still not had the MMR vaccine, and parents are being asked to act.
Special vaccination clinics have been arranged for this weekend, as the virus spreads to neighbouring areas.Special vaccination clinics have been arranged for this weekend, as the virus spreads to neighbouring areas.
Dr Marion Lyons, the head of health protection for Public Health Wales (PHW), has also revealed that the source of the original infection is thought to be linked to a group event for children held in England.Dr Marion Lyons, the head of health protection for Public Health Wales (PHW), has also revealed that the source of the original infection is thought to be linked to a group event for children held in England.
"Children acquired measles infections at a camp in England, returned to Wales and introduced it to the local schools," she told the BBC's Today programme."Children acquired measles infections at a camp in England, returned to Wales and introduced it to the local schools," she told the BBC's Today programme.
"When children get together at various athletic events, we do see the spread to other areas, because children meet together, it's highly infectious, and they will spread the infection.""When children get together at various athletic events, we do see the spread to other areas, because children meet together, it's highly infectious, and they will spread the infection."
Historic problem
Public health officials said take-up for the MMR vaccine in south Wales dropped significantly in the late 1990s when research - since discredited - raised concerns over the jab.Public health officials said take-up for the MMR vaccine in south Wales dropped significantly in the late 1990s when research - since discredited - raised concerns over the jab.
"What we would like to see is a 95% uptake rate for the two-year-olds and the children of five," said Dr Lyons."What we would like to see is a 95% uptake rate for the two-year-olds and the children of five," said Dr Lyons.
"We have achieved that again in Swansea, but there was a period when the uptake rate was lower, and significantly lower than the rest of Wales.""We have achieved that again in Swansea, but there was a period when the uptake rate was lower, and significantly lower than the rest of Wales."
According to Dr Lyons, one-in-six children in the Swansea area have never had the MMR vaccination, while in the rest of Wales it is only one-in-ten children.According to Dr Lyons, one-in-six children in the Swansea area have never had the MMR vaccination, while in the rest of Wales it is only one-in-ten children.
"In the Swansea area where we have the outbreak, we have a decade of children aged between seven and 15 whose vaccination uptake rates are much lower than the rest of Wales," she said."In the Swansea area where we have the outbreak, we have a decade of children aged between seven and 15 whose vaccination uptake rates are much lower than the rest of Wales," she said.
"So inevitably, there are a lot of susceptible children and it is spreading fast in that age group."So inevitably, there are a lot of susceptible children and it is spreading fast in that age group.
Figures due to be published on Friday will point to just how fast the infection is continuing to spread.Figures due to be published on Friday will point to just how fast the infection is continuing to spread.
"It will spread further," warned Dr Lyons."It will spread further," warned Dr Lyons.
"I haven't seen the figures for today, but I do know that we are receiving notifications of between 15 and 20 cases every day in Wales.""I haven't seen the figures for today, but I do know that we are receiving notifications of between 15 and 20 cases every day in Wales."
Jab clinics
PHW has said cases continue to be reported across the country, with the majority in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Powys and Hywel Dda health board areas.PHW has said cases continue to be reported across the country, with the majority in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Powys and Hywel Dda health board areas.
It warned that the risk of unvaccinated children coming into contact with those already infected was "increasing every day".It warned that the risk of unvaccinated children coming into contact with those already infected was "increasing every day".
Public health officials added that it was "just a matter of time" before a child was left with serious and permanent complications, such as eye disorders, deafness or brain damage, or even dies.Public health officials added that it was "just a matter of time" before a child was left with serious and permanent complications, such as eye disorders, deafness or brain damage, or even dies.
Drop-in MMR vaccination clinics will be held between 10:00 BST and 16:00 BST on Saturday at Morriston and Singleton Hospitals in Swansea, Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, and Neath Port Talbot Hospital.Drop-in MMR vaccination clinics will be held between 10:00 BST and 16:00 BST on Saturday at Morriston and Singleton Hospitals in Swansea, Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, and Neath Port Talbot Hospital.
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board said no appointments were necessary and, while they were targeting children and adolescents who had not had their scheduled MMR jabs, no-one would be turned away including adults.Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board said no appointments were necessary and, while they were targeting children and adolescents who had not had their scheduled MMR jabs, no-one would be turned away including adults.
Some GP surgeries have responded to the epidemic by offering extra clinics for the MMR vaccine.Some GP surgeries have responded to the epidemic by offering extra clinics for the MMR vaccine.
Deafness
The Swansea East assembly member, Mike Hedges, has urged parents to take-up the vaccination offers after his own personal experience of the disease.
He told BBC Radio Wales that he and his sister contracted measles as young children, with devastating results.
"I had it very badly and they were concerned about my eyesight, but fortunately I was unaffected," he explained.
"My sister was nowhere near so lucky. She ended up profoundly deaf at the end of it."
"I'm calling for everybody to have the vaccination. My daughter, who is now 14, had the vaccination at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure she didn't suffer as both my sister and I did.
"You can't force people to do it, but I think that those people whose children have had measles really now regret that they didn't have their children immunised. They've seen just how serious an illness it is."