There has been a significant outbreak of measles in North London, with most of the cases in Enfield and a smaller cluster in Haringey.
We are working closely with Enfield Council, Haringey Council, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), NHS England and system partners to coordinate our response, handle media enquiries, brief spokespeople, communicate with residents and reply to queries.
We are engaging with communities in the area of the outbreak, working with partners, faith leaders, Public Voice Haringey and the Bridge Renewal Trust.
Why are people so concerned about measles?
Measles is a very contagious, viral disease. It can have very serious implications.
Some children and babies who catch measles suffer life changing complications, including hearing loss, blindness, pneumonia, or brain swelling.
It is also dangerous to catch measles if you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system. While many people recover, in rare cases, it can lead to long-term damage to the immune system, disability or even death.
The best protection from measles is through vaccination.
The MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine is proven to be extremely safe and very effective at protecting people from measles.
Unfortunately, our rates of vaccination in London are not high enough, and it is this which is helping measles to spread.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of measles include: rash, fever, sore red eyes, cough, sneezing, runny or blocked nose. Measles can cause seizures (fits).
The rash can be harder to see on brown or black skin, so check for white spots inside the mouth and eyelids.
Think you’ve got measles?
If you think you have measles (check measles symptoms), please isolate yourself if possible, and especially keep away from those at higher risk, including children under 1 year old, people with weakened immune systems and unvaccinated pregnant women.
If you need help, please phone or contact your GP practice online rather than visit in person, to stop the spread of measles. Call NHS 111 for advice.
Protect yourself and your family
- Please check whether you and your family have had both doses of the MMR vaccine (MMRV for some younger children).
- Adults who are unsure whether they have received two doses of MMR or measles vaccine should contact their GP practice.
- Children aged 1 year or older can be vaccinated through their GP practice.
- School aged children can be vaccinated at catch-up clinics. Book now at: www.schoolvaccination.uk/catch-up-clinics/catch-up-enfield. Children do not need to be registered with a GP to book at a catch-up clinic.
- Anyone not registered with a GP is strongly encouraged to do so as soon as possible to access free NHS vaccinations. Find out how: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery/
More on measles
Dr Jo Sauvage, Chief Medical Officer, NCL ICB said on LinkedIn: “People have probably heard that we are experiencing an outbreak of measles in North London. It’s worrying and uncomfortable to see a disease that we can prevent returning in this way. But it does remind us why vaccination matters so much… read more“