Children and young people in Cumbria are again being encouraged to get protected against measles following a rise in cases in the region.

Although the county has seen only one case of measles confirmed so far this year, other parts of the north east and north west continue to be the worst affected in England.

Figures published today by Public Health England show numbers of confirmed measles cases in across the whole of England are still high with 288 cases in April, bringing the total number so far in 2013 to 962.

This continues the upward trend seen since early 2012 with monthly totals around the highest recorded levels seen since 1994.

Cumbria County Council is supporting a catch-up programme (run by Public Health England, NHS England and the Department of Health), which aims to prevent measles outbreaks by vaccinating as many 10-16 year olds as possible.

This age group is the most at risk of measles due to the fall in coverage of MMR that occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s when concern around the discredited link between autism and the vaccine was widespread.

A spokesperson said that despite high take-up rates of the vaccine in Cumbria, several thousand teenagers in Cumbria will be unprotected because they were not vaccinated as children.

"Measles is an infectious viral illness that is spread when infected people cough or sneeze. It can have serious complications and in some cases prove fatal," he said. 

"The most common symptoms are fever, cough, sore eyes and a rash that develops three or four days after the onset of illness, starting with the face and head and spreading down the body.

"Doses of the MMR vaccine are usually given at 13 months and between the ages of three and four. However children of any age, right up to young adults, should consider vaccination if they missed out at the recommended ages."

Councillor Patricia Bell, cabinet member for public health and communities at Cumbria County Council, said: “Measles is highly infectious and can lead to serious complications.

“If you are unsure whether your child has been vaccinated, contact your local GP surgery.”