A german measles alert is sweeping South Devon after uptake of the controversial bug-busting MMR jab dropped dangerously below par.

Public health experts have written to every GP after three cases were reported in Totnes over the last three months.

Two youngsters and one male adult have contracted German Measles - also known as Rubella.

Doctors from the South and West Devon Peninsula Health Authority said the cases are not related.

The alert follows only a handful of similar cases across South Devon in the last few years.

Youngsters under two and pregnant women are considered to be most at risk from an outbreak.

The uptake of the combined Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine across Torbay, Teignbridge and South Hams has dropped to 80 per cent.

The target rate to beat a spread of the disease is 95 per cent.

But concerns have also been raised for some areas -including Totnes -which may have an even worse take up.

Health authority bosses have now pleaded with worried parents not to snub the inoculation.

Communicable diseases consultant Dr Geoff Thould said: "The lower the level of uptake, the more likely there will be outbreaks of these diseases - and the cluster of rubella cases in Totnes is an example of this. People who have not been immunised, including children who are still too young to have the vaccine, will then be at risk.

"The message is clear. The uptake of the MMR vaccine must be increased if we are to remain protected from these infections.

"We urge all parents to have their children immunised."

The MMR vaccine is normally given to children before they reach their second birthday.

South Devon's poor uptake follows uncertainty over the all-in-one jab which has been linked by some doctors and studies to autism and bowel problems in children.

German Measles is rare but can spread quickly if not enough people are immunised.

The bug is a mild viral disease which causes fever, a sore throat, swollen glands, aches and a rash.

But the threat to pregnant women includes leaving their unborn child with ear, eye, heart, brain and nervous system defects.

Dr Thould advises anyone worried about an outbreak to contact their health visitor, GP or practice nurse. He added: "With the level of outbreaks we are seeing, there is always the risk that we could see more.

"There has been an awful lot of controversy and people do feel concerned from what they read, but everyone is at risk of catching this if they are not immune. Our message is about encouraging those who have chosen not to have the vaccine for their children to reconsider."

Among those following the MMR jab issue is Kingskerswell mum-of-four Sharon Jacklin, 31, of Princess Road.

Mrs Jacklin's son Joseph, four, has been diagnosed with Autism but she maintains the MMR has no link to her son's condition.

Mrs Jacklin has also just had another son, James, 17 months, immunised with the disputed triple vaccine.

She said: "I think all the talk about the MMR and Autism is a coincidence because, at the time children are having the jab, it is also the time that signs of Autism begins to surface.

"It is about time that parents started taking responsibility for their children instead of blaming anything and anybody.

"But I am not going to tell anyone that they should give their children the jab until they have researched the matter to their satisfaction."

Torbay Primary Care Trust leaders added GPs will also be keeping an eagle eye on the German Measles scare.

Trust director of primary care and community services Adrian Jacobs said: "GPs are trying to increase the immunisation rate for MMR and this has raised the profile of that.

"They will be keeping a special watch and will be paying particular attention to those families who have children who have not been immunised."

Pregnant women can check their immunity to Rubella through blood tests from their GP.

Tests are also usually offered to women as part of normal antenatal care.