Child with measles dies at UK hospital as officials fear it could 'spread like wildfire'

A child has tragically died at a UK hospital after contracting measles, making them the second child to die following an acute measles infection in Britain this decade.

The child, who has not been formerly identified, sadly died in Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. While no details have been released about their medical treatment, it is understood that they were ill with measles and it is believed they also had other health problems.

It is not known whether the child who died had been vaccinated, but the jab provides 97 per cent protection against getting ill.

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The number of children being treated at Alder Hey has public health officials worried that the virus could take hold and "spread like wildfire". It suggests Merseyside could be on the cusp of an outbreak, The Times reports.

Measles is highly contagious and an infected person remains infectious for up to ten days. With Liverpool's low vaccine uptake, about 288 people in every 1,000 across the region are at risk.

Professor Matt Ashton, director of public health for Liverpool, said: "I'm extremely worried that the potential is there for measles to really grab hold in our community. My concern is the unprotected population and it spreading like wildfire. That's why we're trying to be proactive. It's really important that people understand the seriousness of this."

Bosses at NHS Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool have taken the unprecedented step of sending an open letter to parents after kids were left 'seriously unwell' with measles infections. The letter says the reason there has been more cases of measles in children and young people is because fewer people are having the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles as well as two other viruses called mumps and rubella.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth. The first symptoms include a runny or blocked nose, a high temperature, a cough, sneezing, and red, sore, watery eyes. A rash usually appears a few days later, starting on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.

Spots of the rash are sometimes raised and joined together to form blotchy patches, and they're not normally itchy. The rash looks brown or red on white skin and may be harder to see on brown or black skin, NHS guidance states, adding: "It's very unlikely to be measles if you've had both doses of the MMR vaccine or you've had measles before."

What you should do if you think you have measles

You should contact 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if you think you or your child may have measles, if your child is under one year old and has come into contact with someone who has measles, or if you've been in close contact with someone who has measles and are pregnant or have a weakened immune system.

You should also seek urgent medical advice if you or your child have a high temperature that has not come down after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen; you or your child have difficulty breathing – you may feel more short of breath than usual; your baby or young child is not feeding well, or taking less feeds or fluids than usual; you or your child are peeing less than usual (or your baby has fewer wet nappies); you or your child feels very unwell, or you're worried something is seriously wrong.

Anyone with measles should stay off work, school or nursery for at least four days from when the rash first appears, and try to avoid close contact with babies and anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system.

Children are vaccinated after their first birthday and then again at 18 months. Anyone can request a jab if they missed out as a child.

The Mirror has contacted Alder Hey Children's Hospital Trust for comment.

Find out more about measles via the NHS webiste here.