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A LIKELY outbreak of measles
has been discovered in a Southwark primary school.
Eleven children are suspected to have
contracted the highly contagious viral illness.
Saliva samples have been taken from
the children at Crampton Primary School, Iliffe Street, Walworth, and
sent for testing. Results are due back next week.
The symptoms of measles are a
distinctive rash and fever. The virus is transmitted in minute droplets
from coughs and sneezes of infected people - usually children.
Serious but rare complications include
meningitis and pneumonia. More commonly, children develop secondary
infections in their eyes and ears which are treated by antibiotics.
Children are supposed to be vaccinated against measles by the triple MMR
vaccine but recent fears of a link between the vaccine and the
developmental disorder, autism, have stopped some parents letting their
children have the jab.
A spokeswoman for Southwark Primary
Care Trust said a 95 per cent take-up rate of the vaccine eradicates
measles from the community but in Southwark the rate is not "anywhere
near that figure".
A care trust statement said: "None of
the children affected are seriously ill, nor have they been admitted to
hospital. All other parents at the school have been written to and have
been reminded of the importance of getting their children immunised with
the MMR vaccine.
"Measles is still circulating in the
community following an outbreak at the beginning of the year." |