Measles outbreak in Surrey

doi:10.1136/bmj.39024.355822.1F

BMJ 2006;333:1021-1022 (11 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.39024.355822.1F

Letters

Measles outbreak in Surrey

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Asaria and MacMahon discuss measles in the UnitedKingdom.¹ An outbreak of measles in South Yorkshire this yearhad 97 suspected and at least 37 confirmed cases reported.²

In Surrey, the first confirmed case occurredin a child in January 2006. The number of measles cases notifiedto the Surrey and Sussex Health Protection Unit increased duringthe week of 13 March 2006, and an initial outbreak meeting wasconvened on 16 March.

By the end of August 2006, the unit had received280 notifications of measles in Surrey residents, with 111 confirmedor epidemiologically linked cases. This compares with a totalof six cases in the county during 2005.

Twenty four patients were admitted, and fourcases were confirmed in healthcare workers. Sixteen doses ofhuman normal immunoglobulin were required as post-exposure prophylaxisfor vulnerable contacts.

Sensitive contact tracing was carried out, andmeasures implemented to reduce further spread. . . . [Full text of this article]

Peter M English, Nicola Lang, Anna Raleigh, Kevin Carroll, Margot Nicholls

¹ Surrey and Sussex Health Protection Unit, Cedar Court, Leatherhead KT22 9RX

peter.english@shpu.nhs.uk